Southampton charged for spying on Middlesbrough
The Football League has charged second tier Southampton after rival Middlesbrough complained of spying ahead of their crunch EFL Championship promotion play-off semi-final first leg clash.
The two sides are set to play at Middlesbrough on Saturday, with the second leg at St Mary's next Wednesday (AEST).
"Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission," an EFL statement read.
"This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting [on Saturday]."
The EFL referred to regulations barring clubs from "observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs."
The Football League said Southampton would normally have 14 days to respond, but in this case it would ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to list a hearing as soon as possible.
There was no immediate comment from either club.
Hull City and Millwall played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the other semi-final. They play the second leg of that tie in London on Tuesday (AEST).
Millwall finished the season third overall with Southampton fourth, Middlesbrough fifth and Hull sixth.
Champion Coventry City and runner-up Ipswich Town have already secured automatic promotion to the Premier League.
