Leeds United have been pulled into Southampton’s rising ‘spygate’ scandal, as the Saints attempt to overturn their ban from the Championship play-off final.
Southampton has been kicked out of the Wembley match after admitting to spying on three opponents, according to reports.
Middlesbrough will compete in the play-off final against Hull City on Saturday, but the Saints have not given up, indicating that there may be another twist in the plot.
Leeds United cited as Southampton makes its case.
According to Simon Stone of the BBC, Southampton lawyers planned to work overnight on Tuesday to file an appeal to the EFL’s judgment as soon as possible.
The Hampshire-based club believes the penalty is “extremely excessive,” citing Leeds United as an important precedent for their claim.
In 2019, the Elland Road club was fined £200,000 after being found guilty of spying on Derby County during Marcelo Bielsa’s time.
Meanwhile, the Saints are convinced that their case is strong enough to overturn Tuesday’s ruling, with chief executive Phil Parsons reiterating this to team personnel.
The overnight legal work focused on the specific reasons for the EFL’s decision, which Southampton’s attorneys were still receiving as they prepared their appeal.
All groups are eager to settle the matter on Wednesday, since they want to proceed with the final on Saturday.
With the Championship play-off final slated for Saturday, the deadline for a decision is tight, but Southampton’s optimism seems legitimate.
It should be noted that there was no particular law prohibiting spying on an opponent when Leeds United were caught watching Derby’s training seven years ago.
That incident inspired the EFL to implement Regulation 127, which forbids clubs from spying on an opponent in the 72 hours before their match.
Nonetheless, for the Yorkshire-based club, being referenced in another club’s high-profile disciplinary case is an unwelcome reminder of their spygate scandal.
The situation is still dynamic, but Southampton feels they have a good chance.
