Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has played down the significance of the 'Spygate' controversy after his side were charged by the English Football League (EFL) with spying on Middlesbrough prior to their Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday.
Allegations of Unauthorised Filming
It is alleged that a Southampton employee used high-tech equipment to record Middlesbrough's training session on Thursday at their Rockliffe Park base. Middlesbrough, who host the 12:30 kick-off on Saturday, are understood to be furious and want the EFL to impose severe penalties on their opponents.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Eckert stated: "I believe the club has made a statement yesterday and I can't comment." When asked about the general practice of spying on training sessions, he added: "Well I believe when you come to this stage of the season it's not coaches winning the games, it's the players and it's going to be exactly the same today."
Regarding the potential impact on the tie, Eckert emphasised: "We are focused on ourselves and we have been all week. We know we face a good team today and we know they've been good all season, it will be a big challenge."
Middlesbrough's Response
Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg was asked how it felt to have possibly been spied on. "Possibly?" he replied with a smile. "It's not affected our build-up. We've done what we should have done before these types of games. We've watched every Southampton game there is, trying to find different solutions to beat them - how they press, how they build up, putting every hour of the day, trying to do what you should do to get an advantage to win, in the right way."
EFL Charges and Southampton's Stance
The Telegraph reports that Southampton will accept the charge but claim the analyst in question was acting alone and not following orders from above. The EFL's statement read: "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."
The charges relate to EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith, and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond, but the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.
Southampton said in a statement: "SFC 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."
