Leeds escape points penalty over ‘spygate’
LEEDS UNITED have been handed a £200,000 fine for spying on the training sessions of their opponents, avoiding a points deduction despite the planned introduction of a new regulation banning such activity.
A member of the Leeds staff was spotted outside Derby County’s training ground on January 10 ahead of a clash between the two sides, with manager Marcelo Bielsa (below) then making the astonishing admission that he had been sending spies to watch all their opponents train this season.
That led to calls for the Championship promotion hopefuls to be deducted points for what was a breach of English Football League rules that demand opposing teams are treated with ‘good faith’.
But while they were publicly reprimanded last night by both the EFL and the Football Association, a fine has been considered sufficient on this occasion.
A statement from the EFL said that Leeds’ conduct ‘fell significantly short of the standards expected’ and ‘must not be repeated’, with outgoing EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey — who joined the EFL from Leeds — adding: ‘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.
‘We will now look to move on from this incident and commence the discussions about introducing a specific regulation at a meeting with all clubs later this month.’
In their statement the EFL said ‘the regulation will make it clear that clubs will be expressly prohibited from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so’.
In their own statement Leeds said: ‘We accept that whilst we have not broken any specific rule, we have fallen short of the standard expected by the EFL.’ The EFL said Leeds had breached Regulation 3.4 which states that ‘in all matters and transactions relating to the League, each club shall behave towards each other club and the league with the utmost good faith’. The fine is inclusive of a contribution to costs.
A statement from the FA said: ‘The FA has on this occasion decided to conclude this matter by issuing formal warnings against Leeds United FC, Leeds Manager Marcelo Bielsa and a club video analyst.
‘The FA will take appropriate action should further evidence of this nature come to light in the future.
‘The FA would like to remind all participants, including clubs and club employees (and agents) that action can be brought against any participant if their conduct fails to act in the best interest of the game or otherwise brings the game into disrepute.’