Leeds were doing it more than once I saw a figure of 5Unless we've been doing it for months without getting caught
Does reek of desperation and a lack of confidence though imo.
I’m Spartacus!!!
Match Day Thread Middlesbrough v Southampton, Saturday, 09th May 2026, 12:30 KO - Live on Sky TV
- Thread starter SR get out of my club
- Start date
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Whilst wearing a bit of shrubbery
TBH the way I play golf, there's every chance he was looking for his ball 100 yards away from the fairway...
You can hit the small round white thing 100 yards? My normal golf shot is telling people around me to keep clear (except straight in front, they're safe), shouting 'Fore', clipping the top of the ball, and watching it roll 5 yards into the rough.
EFL rules strictly prohibit opponents spying on training sessions less than 72 hours before kick-off - a rule brought in following a "spygate" incident in 2019.
Are they saying that is ok to do it 73 hours before kick off? I would say it is wrong to do it at all!
Are they saying that is ok to do it 73 hours before kick off? I would say it is wrong to do it at all!
And maybe it was dark in there, so he wasn’t recording on his phone, but using the torch.
Telegraph article:
Middlesbrough believe they were the victims of a highly professional surveillance operation after catching a man filming a training session before their play-off semi-final against Southampton.
Telegraph Sport can reveal the full details of the alleged attempt to steal training-ground secrets ahead of Saturday’s crucial match.
The “spy” had professional surveillance equipment, complete with a microphone to record voices and technology to livestream the footage back to someone watching remotely.
A brief physical confrontation ensued when a member of Middlesbrough’s media team challenged the man, who refused to identify himself and then ran off.
The man ran into the clubhouse next to the training ground and changed into new clothes from a hidden holdall.
Middlesbrough have since been told by whistleblowers that this is not the first time a member of Southampton’s analyst team has been sent to record opposition training sessions this season.
CCTV footage has been studied by the club and the alleged perpetrator has been identified. He is said to be an analyst on Southampton’s website and has worked for the club for more than a year, having held similar positions at Premier League clubs.
Middlesbrough have informed the English Football League that they view this as a clear and obvious case of cheating and are seeking the harshest possible punishment. A wide range of action is possible when dealing with cases such as these, including points deductions, fines and potential expulsion from the play-offs.
The Middlesbrough hierarchy are furious after a member of their own media team allegedly spotted the man filming the session, masked by some bushes, on the adjacent golf course attached to Rockcliffe Hotel.
It is claimed the man filming the session had professional filming equipment, complete with a microphone powerful enough to pick up the voice of manager Kim Hellberg and his coaching staff as they issued training instructions.
Southampton have been contacted for comment regarding these new accusations but did not respond.
Boro believe opponents know their starting XI
Given the importance of Saturday’s game and the financial rewards on offer if either club win promotion to the Premier League, Middlesbrough have stressed the seriousness of the situation and the level of potential harm done.
Thursday’s training is the last detailed session before the game and they believe the man was sent to gain the most damaging information which would have included team selection, shape, tactical instructions as well as set-piece routines.
With that in mind, the club feel they are already at a big disadvantage heading into the two-legged tie and they believe their opponents are already aware of their starting XI for the first leg. If they change it, they would not be picking the manager’s first-choice side.
Middlesbrough are awaiting an update from the EFL before deciding their next move but Telegraph Sportunderstands nothing is off the table.
The EFL released a statement on Thursday night saying it had “written to Southampton FC requesting their observations following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC relating to alleged unauthorised filming”.
The statement continued: “The alleged incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough’s private property by an individual identified to be associated with Southampton.
“The League is treating this matter as potential misconduct under EFL Regulations and will be making no further comment at this time.”
The deadline for those observations to be returned to the EFL was set at 1pm on Friday but Southampton are accused of missing it.
Middlesbrough suspect their Championship rivals are playing for time and hope to avoid admitting any wrongdoing until after the game on Saturday.
Middlesbrough believe they were the victims of a highly professional surveillance operation after catching a man filming a training session before their play-off semi-final against Southampton.
Telegraph Sport can reveal the full details of the alleged attempt to steal training-ground secrets ahead of Saturday’s crucial match.
The “spy” had professional surveillance equipment, complete with a microphone to record voices and technology to livestream the footage back to someone watching remotely.
A brief physical confrontation ensued when a member of Middlesbrough’s media team challenged the man, who refused to identify himself and then ran off.
The man ran into the clubhouse next to the training ground and changed into new clothes from a hidden holdall.
Middlesbrough have since been told by whistleblowers that this is not the first time a member of Southampton’s analyst team has been sent to record opposition training sessions this season.
CCTV footage has been studied by the club and the alleged perpetrator has been identified. He is said to be an analyst on Southampton’s website and has worked for the club for more than a year, having held similar positions at Premier League clubs.
Middlesbrough have informed the English Football League that they view this as a clear and obvious case of cheating and are seeking the harshest possible punishment. A wide range of action is possible when dealing with cases such as these, including points deductions, fines and potential expulsion from the play-offs.
The Middlesbrough hierarchy are furious after a member of their own media team allegedly spotted the man filming the session, masked by some bushes, on the adjacent golf course attached to Rockcliffe Hotel.
It is claimed the man filming the session had professional filming equipment, complete with a microphone powerful enough to pick up the voice of manager Kim Hellberg and his coaching staff as they issued training instructions.
Southampton have been contacted for comment regarding these new accusations but did not respond.
Boro believe opponents know their starting XI
Given the importance of Saturday’s game and the financial rewards on offer if either club win promotion to the Premier League, Middlesbrough have stressed the seriousness of the situation and the level of potential harm done.
Thursday’s training is the last detailed session before the game and they believe the man was sent to gain the most damaging information which would have included team selection, shape, tactical instructions as well as set-piece routines.
With that in mind, the club feel they are already at a big disadvantage heading into the two-legged tie and they believe their opponents are already aware of their starting XI for the first leg. If they change it, they would not be picking the manager’s first-choice side.
Middlesbrough are awaiting an update from the EFL before deciding their next move but Telegraph Sportunderstands nothing is off the table.
The EFL released a statement on Thursday night saying it had “written to Southampton FC requesting their observations following a complaint from Middlesbrough FC relating to alleged unauthorised filming”.
The statement continued: “The alleged incident is said to have taken place on Middlesbrough’s private property by an individual identified to be associated with Southampton.
“The League is treating this matter as potential misconduct under EFL Regulations and will be making no further comment at this time.”
The deadline for those observations to be returned to the EFL was set at 1pm on Friday but Southampton are accused of missing it.
Middlesbrough suspect their Championship rivals are playing for time and hope to avoid admitting any wrongdoing until after the game on Saturday.
If that is true then ‘Brough should get a bye to the final.
Utter disgrace and an embarrassment to us fans.
Utter disgrace and an embarrassment to us fans.
I think Boro, in their anger, have exaggerated their version of events and fed the Telegraph some bullshit in retaliation.
I always felt they'd do us over two legs and all this has added to that feeling.
Doesn't help that our record is absolutely pathetic in the NE.
We forfeit the game 3-0 and just play the second leg seems like a fair punishment to me
It has actually soured the whole semi for me, not that sure I can be arsed to watch it.
I was looking forward to it until this story broke.
I mean I will I guess but really think we could get end up with egg on faces over this.
I was looking forward to it until this story broke.
I mean I will I guess but really think we could get end up with egg on faces over this.
The BBC's take
www.bbc.co.uk
'not so dramatic as Middlesborough's account' is one quote
How Southampton allegedly spied on Middlesbrough
Southampton are under investigation for allegedly spying on Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough. It was not as difficult as one might think.
www.bbc.co.uk
'not so dramatic as Middlesborough's account' is one quote