Southampton request for more time to deal with spying claims after being charged by EFL

Middlesbrough claim that a member of the Southampton coaching staff was discovered watching and recording a training session at their Rockliffe Park facility on Thursday.

This incident occurred just two days before the teams played a 0-0 draw at Riverside Stadium in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

Southampton have at no stage denied the allegations, with boss Tonda Eckert leaving his press conference early after being asked about the situation multiple times.

The Saints CEO, Phil Parsons, has called for the club to be given "time" after the EFL asked the independent disciplinary commission for "a hearing at the earliest opportunity".

Parsons said: "The club is fully cooperating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission, while also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn."

The clubs meet at St Mary's in the second leg this evening, with the winners facing Hull City in the final at Wembley on May 23.

The EFL announced it was charging the Saints last week, in a statement reading: "Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"This follows a request from the EFL for the club's observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday's Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity."

Responding to the news, Southampton, in a club statement, said: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the league throughout this process. Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time."

The breaches are in relation to EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127.

Regulation 3.4 states: "In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall behave towards each other and the league with the utmost good faith."

EFL rule 127 is focused on observing training sessions during a time frame or without invitation.

It reads: "Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (that each club shall behave towards each other club with the utmost good faith), no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another club's training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match scheduled to be played between those respective clubs."

The rule was introduced following a "spygate" incident in 2019 when then Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to spy on Derby County.

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