Lampard anger at Leeds for spying on Rams training
RIVAL FOOTBALL BOSSES CLASH OVER ‘FAIR PLAY RULES’
DERBY County manager Frank Lampard has made his anger known to his Leeds United counterpart, Marcelo Bielsa, who has admitted sending a spy to the Rams’ training ground.
A man was found at the perimeter fence of Moor Farm training ground and spoken to. Derbyshire police
LEEDS United’s manager last night admitted on live TV responsibility for having a spy outside Derby County’s training ground.
Marcelo Bielsa told Sky Sports ahead of the game between the two sides at Elland Road: “It’s true there was someone from Leeds United there.” It came a day after a man was caught by police acting suspiciously outside the training ground at Moor Farm.
Training reportedly had to be stopped in preparation for the Rams’ visit to league leaders Leeds United because of the incident.
Derby County manager Frank Lampard, informed that his Leeds counterpart had taken full responsibility for the issue, told Sky Sports: “That’s good.” He went on: “I spoke to him yesterday afternoon myself. I think it makes it easier to deal with.
“At least on a sportsman’s level, it’s bad, in my opinion.
Former Argentina manager Bielsa added: “The responsible of this incident is me, I am responsible for it.
“It doesn’t matter if this is legal or illegal or right or wrong. For me, it’s enough that Frank Lampard and Derby County felt that was not the right thing to do for me to believe I didn’t behave well.
“I talked to Frank Lampard, he told me for him that I didn’t respect the fair play rules. I have a different point of view on it but the important thing is what Frank Lampard and Derby County think.
“I have been using this kind of practice since qualification for the World Cup with Argentina.
“It is not unlawful, illegal, we have been doing it publicly. We talk about it in the press, for some people it’s the wrong thing to do, for others it’s not the wrong thing to do.” Police were called to the club’s training centre at Moor Farm at around 11.20am on Thursday. Derbyshire Constabulary said no arrests were made and the man was soon released.
English Football League regulations state clubs must behave with “utmost good faith” towards each other. A Derby County spokesman said: “It has since been confirmed to Derby County that the individual concerned is an employee of the footballing staff at Leeds United Football Club.
“The club is now in discussion with Leeds United club officials in relation to this incident. At this time no further comment will be made.”
Derby Telegraph reader Jonny Wallis took a dim view of what had happened, posting on our Facebook page: “Never mind the ethics and the football legality of it, someone was concerned enough to call the already stretched police to this. For me that is more disgusting than whether it’s cheating or not.”
A spokesperson for Derbyshire police said: “Officers were called at around 11.20am on Thursday, January 10, to reports of a man acting suspiciously on Morley Road, Derby.
“A man was found at the perimeter fence of Moor Farm training ground and spoken to. Officers conducted routine checks which were all above board. Despite media reports, no damage to the fence was found, and the man was stopped outside the grounds. No arrests were made and the man was sent on his way.”
The Derby Telegraph has approached Leeds United for a comment.
■ Match report, Page 42