Southampton chief name-checks Leeds United 'offence' in response to Championship play-off expulsion
A new EFL rule was introduced following Leeds United's £200,000 fine for spying under Marcelo Bielsa.
Southampton have referenced Leeds United’s 2019 punishment for spying on Derby County in their response to being expelled from the Championship play-offs following three similar charges.
The south coast club were charged with watching training sessions involving Oxford United, Ipswich Town and most notably play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, who they beat 2-1 on aggregate. An independent disciplinary commission confirmed on Tuesday the Saints would be expelled from the end-of-season showpiece, with Boro to face Hull City at Wembley on Saturday.
The saga has been dubbed ‘Spygate 2.0’ following a 2019 incident in which a member of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds staff was spotted watching a Derby training session from a public footpath. The Whites were fined £200,000 with regards to rules over acting in ‘good faith’ towards other EFL clubs.
A new rule has since been introduced prohibiting clubs from observing opposition training within 72 hours of a scheduled match. Southampton have been charged with both offences and admitted the breaches.
A statement from Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons read: “What happened was wrong. The club has admitted breaches of EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127. We are sorry to the other clubs involved, and most of all to the Southampton supporters whose extraordinary loyalty and support this season deserved better from the club.
“We have provided our full co-operation to the EFL's investigation and disciplinary process. Following the appeal, we will also be writing to the EFL to volunteer our participation in a working group on the practical application and enforcement of Regulation 127 across the Championship. Contrition without change is hollow, and we intend to demonstrate change.
“On the appeal itself: we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined £200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters.”
The statement goes on to claim the financial consequence of Southampton’s expulsion makes it the largest penalty ever imposed on an English club ‘by a very considerable distance’. They reference other punishments including a 30-point deduction for Luton Town when in League Two and Chelsea’s £10.75million fine relating to £47.5m in undisclosed payments over seven years.
“We say this not to minimise what occurred at this club, which we have accepted was wrong” Parsons added. “We say it because proportionality is itself a principle of natural justice. The Commission was entitled to impose a sanction. It was not, we will argue, entitled to impose one that is manifestly disproportionate to every previous sanction in the history of the English game.”
Southampton have appealed their punishment, which is currently under review with an outcome expected imminently. As things stand, Middlesbrough are due to face Hull in the play-off final on Saturday afternoon.