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  "path": "/sport/football/southampton-middlesbrough-spying-charged",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-08T21:08:36.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Millwall and Hull City play out stalemate in first leg of playoff semi-final",
    "Real Madrid release statement on Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni punishment",
    "Bournemouth suspend Alex Jimenez as statement released over social media posts",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSouthampton have been charged by the EFL following allegations of spying by Middlesbrough.\n\nThe EFL said in a statement: \"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"This follows a request from the EFL for the club's observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday's Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final first leg.\n\n\"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.\"\n\nThe breaches are in relation to EFL Regulations 3.4 and 127.\n\nRegulation 3.4 states: \"In all matters and transactions relating to the league, each club shall behave towards each other and the league with the utmost good faith.\"\n\nEFL rule 127 is focused on observing training sessions during a time frame or without invitation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Millwall and Hull City play out stalemate in first leg of playoff semi-final\n  * Real Madrid release statement on Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni punishment\n  * Bournemouth suspend Alex Jimenez as statement released over social media posts\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt reads: \"Without prejudice to the requirements of Regulation 3.4 (that each club shall behave towards each other club with the utmost good faith), no club shall directly or indirectly observe (or attempt to observe) another club's training session in the period of 72 hours prior to any match scheduled to be played between those respective clubs.\"\n\nThe rule was introduced following a \"spygate\" incident in 2019.\n\nThen Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of staff to spy on Derby County.\n\nLeeds were fined £200,000 after being found guilty of breaking Regulation 3.4.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThen EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: \"The sanctions imposed highlight how actions such as this cannot be condoned, and act as a clear deterrent should any club seek to undertake poor conduct in the future.\"\n\nThe Saints are in action against Middlesbrough at 12:30pm on May 9 in the first leg of the playoffs.\n\nSouthampton have turned their season around after a very slow start, with Tonda Eckert stepping in for Will Still and going on an incredible run, which even saw them reach the FA Cup semi-finals after victory against the top of the Premier League, Arsenal.\n\nThe Saints took the lead in the semi against Manchester City but ended up losing 2-1.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThey are eyeing up a second trip to Wembley but have to make it past a Middlesbrough side, who were eyeing up automatic promotion at one stage of the season.\n\nBoro, who have the joint-second-best defence in the Championship this season, come into the game having drawn with Wrexham on the final day, which saw the Red Dragons miss out on the playoffs.\n\nMiddlesbrough beat Southampton in this fixture during the season, thrashing the Saints 4-0 with goals from Sam Silvera, Alan Browne and Morgan Whittaker, who got a brace.\n\nThey will be looking for a repeat tomorrow in a contest that sets up a match at Wembley worth £200million.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Southampton charged by EFL following allegations of spying by Middlesbrough"
}