EFL club analyst accused of spying on play-off opponents in potential scandal

The EFL is aware of suggestions a Southampton analyst spied on Middlesbrough ahead of the two sides’ Championship play-off clash.

It’s been claimed the Saints staff member was spotted in the bushes at Boro’s training ground.

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The Daily Mail reports the analyst was approached by staff outside the club’s Rockliffe Park training centre on Thursday.

talkSPORT has contacted both Southampton and Middlesbrough for comment.

Kim Hellberg’s side are understood to have contacted the Football League over the alleged rule breach.

Spying on opposition training sessions is prohibited by the EFL.

The incident comes ahead of Saturday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg between the two sides.

Boro welcome Southampton to the Riverside Stadium, with kick-off at 12.30pm, live on talkSPORT 2.

They will then face off at St. Mary’s live on talkSPORT three days later.

The winner will meet Millwall or Hull City in the final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 23.

Middlesbrough won the league meeting between the two sides at the Riverside 4-0 back in January.

Meanwhile, their first clash of the season at St. Mary’s in September ended in a 1-1 draw.

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Spygate scandal

A similar incident occurred prior to a match between Leeds United and Derby County in January 2019.

Then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to instructing a colleague to spy on the Rams’ training.

His side were subsequently fined £200,000 by the EFL after admitting to breaches of their rules.

A new rule was later introduced banning clubs from viewing an opponent’s training within 72 hours of a match unless invited to do so.

Meanwhile, Derby went on to beat Leeds in the play-offs later in the same season.

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