England’s version of ‘Spygate’ gave us the funniest photo imaginable

There is a new “Spygate” scandal rocking the sporting world, thanks to soccer’s EFL Championship League playoffs.

And the latest bit of evidence is downright hilarious.

Southampton booked a spot in the Championship playoff final — and potentially a shot at promotion to the Premier League — with a 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on Tuesday, which gave the club a 2-1 win on aggregate. But the club’s promotion odds remain on shaky ground after allegations of potentially spying on Middlesbrough ahead of the first playoff leg between the two sides.

Under EFL regulations, clubs cannot “observe,” or attempt to ”observe” another club’s training session within 72 hours of a schedule match between the two sides.

However, Middlesbrough filed a complaint alleging unauthorized filming by someone connected to Southampton, which came ahead of the first leg of the semifinal between the two clubs. That first match ended in a 0-0 draw.

And now the Daily Mail is alleging to have the hilarious photographic evidence, of a member of Southampton allegedly recording the training session in question:

The outlet also outlines how a potential “paper trail” has emerged in their own investigation into the matter.

Right now, Southampton is slated to take on Hull at Wembley on May 23, with the winners securing the third and final promotion spot to the Premier League. But the EFL has indicated a hearing on the spying allegations will proceed “at the earliest opportunity.”

Specifically, Southampton is alleged to have violated these two EFL Regulations:

1. EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and  
2. EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any Club from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs.  

As some might say, a picture is worth a thousand words.