Leeds United have been fined £200,000 and issued a severe reprimand by the English Football League (EFL) following an investigation into the club's spying activities. The Championship side admitted to a breach of Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act with utmost good faith, after manager Marcelo Bielsa confessed to sending a staff member to observe Derby County's training session before their match last month.
The incident occurred when a Leeds employee was caught at Derby's training ground prior to the fixture, which Leeds won 2-0. Bielsa later revealed that the club had spied on all their opponents this season, though he maintained no specific rules were broken. He provided a detailed 70-minute briefing to the media outlining his scouting methods, a move met with scepticism from rivals, including Derby manager Frank Lampard.
EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey stated: 'The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned and act as a clear deterrent.' The EFL also announced plans to introduce a new rule prohibiting teams from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours before a match, unless invited.
The Football Association issued formal warnings to Leeds United, Bielsa, and a club video analyst, but decided not to take further action at this time. Leeds, who escaped a points deduction, remain third in the Championship, two points behind leaders Norwich City.
In a club statement, Leeds accepted they had 'fallen short of the standard expected' and apologised for acting in a way deemed 'culturally unacceptable in the English game.' The club thanked the EFL for its investigation and said focus could now return to on-field matters.
