THE SOUTHAMPTON “spy” has allegedly been caught on camera in a shocking photo outside Middlesbrough’s training ground – and unmasked as a Saints intern.
The individual accused of watching Boro training ahead of the play-off semi-final has been identified as Saints worker William Salt.
Saints intern William Salt is apparently caught on camera filming at Boro’s training groundCredit: Refer to source
Images appear to show a man hiding behind trees while using a mobile phone to observe Middlesbrough’s tactical session less than 72 hours before Saturday’s first leg, which ended 0-0.
Salt is understood to be part of Southampton boss Tonda Eckert’s first-team set-up and highly regarded behind the scenes at St Mary’s.
But the alleged operation may have unravelled after he reportedly used his bank card to purchase a coffee at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club – owned by chairman Steve Gibson and located beside the club’s training base.
The apparent blunder has now sparked fears among rival Championship clubs that may have carried out similar surveillance missions throughout the season.
One unnamed second-tier side are reportedly reviewing CCTV after suspecting they may also have been watched prior to facing Eckert’s men.
Boro’s legal team are now said to be demanding access to documents and records linked to the case ahead of an independent disciplinary hearing, and the row threatens to wreck Southampton’s bid to return to the Premier League.
Saints beat Middlesbrough 2-1 after extra-time in last night’s second leg to book their place in the play-off final against Hull at Wembley on May 23.
But there are ahead of the upcoming-but-yet-to-be-confirmed EFL hearing set to take place.
Saints have been on a roll under Eckert, finishing the season 19 games unbeaten Credit: Getty
Southampton released a statement prior to Tuesday’s second-leg calling for “time”, but with the final only ten days away, a hearing needs to take place sooner rather than later.
Fuming Boro are adamant Saints should be expelled from the competition and are said to have evidence to back up their spy claims.
SunSport has also learned that Boro’s case looks set to include information from at least TWO other Championship rivals who believe they were also spied on by a member of Southampton’s team.
Due to the uncertainty, Middlesbrough’s players will report to the training ground on Thursday for a planned de-brief after flying back north on Wednesday afternoon.
Since replacing Will Still in November, Eckert has transformed Southampton’s season.
Between Eckert’s first game and the final days of the season, Saints collected 68 points – more than any other Championship side in that period – a run which saw them climb from 21st to fourth in the table.
Boro believe Southampton may have broken rules banning clubs from viewing opposition training sessions within 72 hours of a match unless invited.
The regulation was introduced after ’s infamous “Spygate” scandal in 2019 under Marcelo Bielsa.
A Leeds staff member was caught acting suspiciously outside Derby’s training ground before a Championship clash in January 2019, with Bielsa later admitting he had sent somebody to observe every opponent’s sessions.
Marcelo Bielsa and Frank Lampard’s frosty pre-match handshake a week after ‘Spygate’ in January 2019 – resembled Tonda Eckert and Kim Hellberg last night Credit: PA:Press Association
Leeds were fined £200,000 by the EFL and formally reprimanded.
Next time they met, Derby, who were under at the time, went on to knock them out in the play-off semi-finals with a dramatic 4-3 aggregate victory in May 2019.
The training ground incident, along with Tuesday’s fiery clash between Middlesbrough and Southampton, drew parallels to the Derby and Leeds situation, and last night tensions boiled over on the line.
Managers Eckert and Kim Hellberg reportedly had to be separated, while Boro defender Luke Ayling accused Saints star Taylor Harwood-Bellis of during a heated exchange.
Despite Southampton reaching Wembley following an emotionally charged tie, it may not be conclusive yet if Middlesbrough’s complaint leads to further action from the EFL.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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