Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Wed 13 May 2026 11:10, UK

Leeds United have been in the headlines lately, for no reason of their own.

Marcelo Bielsa’s time with the Whites was one of the most thrilling times to support the club, but it also brought a ‘Spygate’ scandal.

A member of the Elland Road side’s staff was caught watching a closed Derby County training session, and the club were fined £200,000.

The antics have been brought up again, after Southampton were involved in a similar incident ahead of their Championship playoff semi-final win over Middlesbrough.

Leeds’ punishment is not applicable to the Saints, though, and the saga seems to have taken a fresh twist.

Why Leeds case forced rule change from the EFL

Leeds’ spygate scandal brought a change in the rules.

The Peacocks were charged with actions that were against ‘good faith’, and there was no specific rule against spying at the time.

The EFL reacted by making rule 127, which means that member clubs can’t observe or attempt to observe another club’s training session within 72 hours of a match.

Why Southampton can’t use Leeds example

A report from Sky Sports on 13 May claims that the Saints could be kicked out of the playoff final if the independent commission confirms the charge.

They can’t use the defence that Leeds were only fined, as there was not a rule against it at the time, whereas there is one, now.

The punishment could range from a fine to being expelled from the final, and whatever the commission decides will be controversial.

• EFL Rule 3.4: Clubs are required to deal with each other in ‘good faith’
• EFL Rule 127: Clubs are prohibited from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs.  

If they fine the South coast club, then Middlesbrough will feel aggrieved and surely push for a harsher sanction than that, trying to get a place in the final.

Whereas, if they are kicked out of the final against Hull City, they will surely appeal and it has the potential to delay the date of the Wembley showcase.

It is a complex situation, and is out of the EFL’s control as the commission is the one that decides the outcome, rather than the league, so it may be a matter of time before it reaches a conclusion.

The Leeds example is pointless, though, it has no bearing on this matter, and is no good for Eckert’s side, as the comparison is a huge reach.