Spy-gate ... Lampard says something must be done, Rams reports

‘SPY’ SAGA BEHAVIOUR SHOWS LACK OF RESPECT TO AN OPPONENT

THE ‘spying’ saga surrounding Derby County’s Championship clash against Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday has filled plenty of column inches, websites and air time in the past few days.

I am sure all those interested are already aware of the background but here goes.

Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa gave permission for a club employee to spy on Derby’s final preparations before the game. That person, who had a pair of binoculars and pliers, reportedly, was spotted “acting suspiciously” around the perimeter of the Rams’ Moor Farm training ground and was asked to leave by police.

Bielsa said he took full responsibility but added that this type of thing happened in other countries.

This did not wash with Derby manager Frank Lampard and now the Football Association is investigating the bizarre episode.

Both managers have had their say, fans also, as well as pundits and commentators.

Some have insisted Bielsa was out of order and that he, and Leeds, should be punished. Others have viewed it as not a big issue and something that has been blown out of proportion.

No criminal offence was committed and no rule has been broken, it appears, although it says in the EFL rule book: “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.”

Let’s strip this right back from football.

For me, this is really about knowing how to go on, about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable.

Bielsa should know, and if he doesn’t he should be told, that this is not how to go on. Whether or not it is accepted in other footballing cultures matters not. I think such behaviour disrespects the opponent and tramples on sporting behaviour.

Some holding a view on what happened at the training ground on Thursday might smile and think others are taking the higher moral ground but morals are important and so they are worth defending.

I am sure clubs and managers down the years have attempted to gain an advantage. By sending someone along to watch/spy on an opponent training has to be with the view of gaining an advantage, otherwise why bother?

Why Bielsa did bother is still hard to fathom. How much more can be obtained from having an individual peering at training through a fence is questionable.

Yes, you could see team shape, who is filling which positions and whether or not a player is fit to train, Derby’s Harry Wilson being an example in this case, but how Derby line up formation-wise and who could step in for who should not be too much of a mystery.

We are more than halfway through the season. What is it that Bielsa does not know about Derby?

Surely he has all the stats, videos of games and scouting reports at his fingertips. He should be fully aware of the Rams’ strengths and weaknesses without the need to have somebody ‘spying’ in this way.

Bielsa is a top-class coach, no question. This is what I wrote about him after Leeds turned Derby over 4-1 back in August: “Not only is he a top coach, he is one of the top coaches in world football.”

Lampard was glowing in his praise for Bielsa ahead of that first meeting. “They (Leeds) have brought in a fantastic manager, one of the top-ofthe-tree managers in terms of experience, clubs he has been at, record and style of play. I think he is fantastic. For me, it is an absolute honour to go up against him in my first home game.”

Lampard would be forgiven if his opinion of Bielsa has dipped and the Derby boss has every right to be disappointed and upset about the situation.

Bielsa overstepped the moral line. “It is not just a toe over the line, it is a hop, skip and a jump over the line,” said Lampard and I agree with him.

Lampard had to balance his right to reply with his disappointment at Derby’s poor performance in their 2-0 defeat.

Leeds thoroughly deserved their win, make no mistake.

They were better than Derby all over the pitch on the night and in no way should ‘spygate’ detract from how they exposed Derby’s shortcomings.

The Rams failed to handle the occasion, the atmosphere and Leeds’ power and purpose. In completing the double over the Rams, Leeds looked every inch promotion favourites.

Nobody, as far as I am aware, is suggesting the result was down to ‘spygate.’

It did, however, appear to galvanise Leeds and their fans. How much the Rams let the matter get to them, only Lampard and the players will know.

So what next?

Lampard is correct when he says something has to happen because we cannot have repeats of this at training grounds up and down the country. That would be farcical.

The ball is now in the court of the FA.