Saints charged by EFL after spying on Middlesbrough

TL;DR

Southampton has been charged by the EFL for spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final. A Saints analyst recorded Middlesbrough's training session before being caught and deleting the footage.

Key points

Southampton charged by EFL for spying on Middlesbrough
Incident occurred before Championship play-off semi-final
Saints analyst recorded Boro training and deleted footage

Mentioned in this story

SouthamptonMiddlesbrough

EFL

An exterior view of St Mary's Stadium in Southampton

The EFL has asked the independent disciplinary commission to expedite the case against Southampton quicker than the usual 14 days [Getty Images]

The English Football League has charged Southampton with spying on Middlesbrough before they meet in the Championship play-off semi-finals on Saturday.

BBC Sport has learned a Saints performance analyst recorded Boro training and taking pictures of tactics on Thursday morning.

The staff member was caught, deleted the footage and left the area, but the Teesside club were furious and later contacted the EFL.

"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL regulations, and the matter will be referred to an independent disciplinary commission," read a statement released on Friday night.

"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 Championship play-off semi-final first leg."

Saints are accused of breaking two regulations:

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, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.

"Under EFL regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges," the statement added.

Q&A

What charges has Southampton faced from the EFL?

Southampton has been charged with spying on Middlesbrough by recording their training session before the Championship play-off semi-final.

How did Middlesbrough react to the spying incident?

Middlesbrough was furious about the incident and reported it to the EFL after discovering that a Southampton staff member had recorded their training.

What actions did the Southampton analyst take during the incident?

The Southampton performance analyst recorded Middlesbrough's training, was caught, deleted the footage, and then left the area.