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Southampton spying compendium thread


Hot Since 82 said:
Sounds like there's someone from within the Southampton club have blown the whistle on it to Boro and admitted that they've done it to other clubs this season. If that's true then they could end up in League One rather than the Premier League
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They will have done it before ... this is just the first time they have been caught. The details in the Telegraph article indicate it was planned and very sophisticated equipment used.

In the only other precedent, when Leeds were found guilty in 2019, they admitted numerous occasions of spying under Bielsa.

Southampton's manager was made permanent in early December and shortly after they went seven games without winning (including a 4-0 drubbing at Middlesbrough where they were dreadful), despite having an impressive squad. Then suddenly they turn it around and go on a 19-match unbeaten league run and also reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

It may be just a coincidence, but if they had the extent of details for any of those games on that run that they appear to have been trying to obtain from spying at Boro yesterday, that would have given them a distinct advantage.

Their season is tainted now whatever the outcome.
 
old supporter said:
It's just a fine and a slap on the wrist. I don't know what advantage they think they could gain by watching a training session it sounds ridiculous
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Boro are arguing that this spy has worked out their starting line up meaning they either play exactly how Southampton expect or play a team that isn’t their best 11.

I think Southampton’s home leg should be played behind closed doors
 
old supporter said:
It's just a fine and a slap on the wrist. I don't know what advantage they think they could gain by watching a training session it sounds ridiculous
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This was the final sessions before the game tomorrow. So at a minimum learning the Boro starting line up, formation, and seeing and hearing the tactics, strategy and game plan including substitutions. Watching them practice set pieces, and making notes on the penalty practice so the Southampton keeper knows which way to dive for any penalty that might occur but very specifically useful for the 2nd leg if it goes to pens.

This is massive in terms of cheating and apparently they've been at it for months. Nee wonder they've gone from complete dog shit to unbeaten in 19 or whatever.

They need booting out and big points deducted for next season. FL exposing themselves to Gibson taking them to the cleaners if they don't act.
 
The Situation said:
Hope Southampton win tomorrow now just to see what the reaction will be :lol:
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Don't see how the game can go ahead now. If Boro have CCTV footage of Southampton's analyst at Rockliffe etc.
I wonder if Wrexham have wiped their training ground security tapes from the days before Southampton rocked up and beat them 1-5.
 
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wackyjacky said:
My guess is Southampton will deny any involvement and that, although an employee of theirs, was acting as a 'lone wolf'' without their permission or knowledge. He'll be sacked (although with a big payoff to keep schtum). This probably gives the EFL an excuse to only fine them unless they have irrefutable evidence that Southampton were aware and had sent him there.
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But it will be difficult to defend the lone wolf argument as sophisticated equipment was used to transmit the video to a remote location etc
 
ERIMUS1876 said:
Telegraph Sport ran an article earlier tonight with some staggering details in it about what happened ...

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 whistle blowers 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.

Conversations to be had between clubs’ owners

The EFL has the scope to hand out severe punishments for clubs found guilty of spying on opposition teams after changing the rules in the wake of spying scandal at Leeds United in 2019.
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In this ‘brave new world’ we live in cheating and taking unfair advantage are epitomized by leaders such as trump and Johnson
Winners are grinners and sod the consequences
200k fine 😄😄😄
For a team like Soton that is glove box change
 
scott934 said:
Should play both legs at the Riverside as punishment.

I suspect any punishment won't be until after the playoffs.
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Nah the poor Southampton players and staff will end up with 3 heads each and think playing us is a derby. Can’t be having that.
 
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