Southampton have been charged with misconduct by the English Football League (EFL) following an alleged spying incident before their Championship play-off semi-final first leg against Middlesbrough. The EFL has said it will convene an independent disciplinary commission at the earliest opportunity to hear the case.
Middlesbrough reported that a Southampton employee was caught filming and making audio recordings of their manager Kim Hellberg’s training session at Rockliffe Park on Thursday. The man, believed to be a first-team analyst, was allegedly spotted hiding in bushes and later changed his appearance in a hotel toilet. Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson is expected to demand a severe punishment.
The EFL charged Southampton with breaching regulation 3.4, requiring clubs to act with utmost good faith, and regulation 127, which prohibits observing another club’s training within 72 hours of a match. Sanctions could range from fines to points deductions or even expulsion, following precedents such as Leeds United’s £200,000 fine in 2019 and Canada’s six-point deduction in 2024 for drone spying.
Southampton, who have been unbeaten in 19 league games under manager Tonda Eckert, face Middlesbrough in the second leg on Tuesday. The incident has heightened tensions, with Middlesbrough fans urged to line the approach roads to the Riverside Stadium. Southampton’s coach is expected to receive a hostile reception.
