Skip to content

Leeds fined £200,000 and warned following 'spying' incident at Derby

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton says Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa now realises that his conduct regarding 'spygate' was not acceptable.

Leeds have been fined £200,000 by the EFL and given a formal reprimand after the 'spygate' incident at Derby in January.

Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted that he sent a member of staff to the Derby training ground on Thursday 10 January to watch their Championship rivals train ahead of Friday's league match, which Leeds won 2-0.

Leeds subsequently apologised for their conduct and the EFL have now found the club in breach of Regulation 3.4 - which says: '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.'

A new rule is also set to be confirmed which prohibits teams from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours immediately prior to a fixture, unless invited to do so.

An EFL statement said: "Leeds United has fully co-operated with the EFL's inquiries and, following a comprehensive review of all the evidence provided, the club has now formally admitted a breach of Regulation 3.4.

Derby manager Frank Lampard
Image: A Leeds 'spy' was sent to watch Frank Lampard's Derby County side at training

"As a consequence the club has been fined £200,000 (inclusive of a contribution to costs) and received a formal reprimand and warning to the effect that the club's conduct fell significantly short of the standards expected by the EFL and must not be repeated."

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.

Also See:

"I would like to thank Leeds United for their assistance in helping to bring this matter to a conclusion as quickly as was practically possible.

"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."

Image: Leeds are enjoying a great season and are only two points behind leaders Norwich, with a game in hand

Leeds are currently third in the Championship and are in the thick of the battle for automatic promotion to the Premier League.

A club statement said: "We accept that whilst we have not broken any specific rule, we have fallen short of the standard expected by the EFL with regards to regulation 3.4.

"We apologise for acting in a way that has been judged culturally unacceptable in the English game and would like to thank Shaun Harvey and the EFL for the manner in which they conducted their investigations.

"Our focus can now return to matters on the field."

A statement from the Football Association read: "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.

"Notwithstanding The FA's decision on this occasion, The FA will take appropriate action should further evidence of this nature come to light in the future."

Play Super 6
Play Super 6

Predict 6 correct scores for your chance to win £250K.

Around Sky