MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 05:39:47| >> :120:25814:25814:

EFL launches formal investigation into Leeds boss Bielsa's spying admission

EFL launches formal investigation into Leeds boss Bielsa's spying admission
© Reuters
Leeds have said they will remind the Argentinian of his responsibilities.

The EFL has launched a formal investigation into the Leeds spying row.

Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted before Friday night's 2-0 win over Derby that he was responsible for sending a member of club staff to watch the Rams training on Thursday.

Derbyshire Police were forced to intervene and move the individual on but he was not arrested.

Leeds have since apologised to Derby and said they will remind Bielsa of his responsibilities.

Bielsa insisted the practice was not unlawful or illegal, but he could still fall foul of EFL regulations which state clubs must behave towards each other in good faith.

The Football Association has begun its own probe and the EFL has now followed suit, saying in a statement: "The EFL has today written to Leeds United requesting their observations in regard to an incident that took place in the vicinity of Derby County's training ground on Thursday 10 January, 2019.

"It follows a complaint from Derby County who allege that an individual, acting under the instruction of Leeds United, sought to observe a private training session the day before the two clubs were due to meet in the Sky Bet Championship.

"The EFL has now determined that it is appropriate to consider this matter in the context of a number of EFL regulations whilst also noting that the alleged actions appear to contravene the Club's Charter that all EFL clubs agreed to in summer 2018.

Derby manager Frank Lampard (right) and Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa shake hands ahead of Friday night's match (Simon Cooper/PA).
Derby manager Frank Lampard (right) and Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa shake hands ahead of Friday night's match (Simon Cooper/PA).

"The decision to progress this matter to a formal investigation comes as a result of the club's manager, Marcelo Bielsa, admitting to instructing an individual to undertake the acts being complained of in a television interview broadcast on Sky Sports on Friday, January 11, 2019.

"The Football Association has also confirmed they are considering the same matter in line with its own rules and the EFL will work with its FA counterparts to ensure that any potential action taken does not prejudice those investigations being undertaken."

Press Association Sport has contacted Leeds seeking a response.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Sims, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '63e03d12-1511-4da9-a4f7-d9cdc279d247');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'EFL launches formal investigation into Leeds boss Bielsa\u2019s spying admission'});

ID:346910: cacheID:346910:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7090:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Derby County manager Frank Lampard on December 29, 2018
Read Next:
Frank Lampard does not believe spying was going on during his time at Chelsea
>
Read more about Marcelo Bielsa Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds362210472234976
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd36246651272476
3Burnley362014249103974
4Sunderland361911654332168
5Coventry CityCoventry36168125246656
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom361316746321455
7Bristol City36131494639753
8Blackburn RoversBlackburn36157144137452
9Middlesbrough36148145547850
10Norwich CityNorwich361213115749849
11Watford36147154650-449
12Millwall361212123637-148
13Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds36139145056-648
14Queens Park RangersQPR361111144146-544
15Swansea CitySwansea36128163846-844
16Preston North EndPreston36916113642-643
17Portsmouth36119164457-1342
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36912153753-1639
19Hull City36910173645-937
20Stoke CityStoke36812163650-1436
21Cardiff CityCardiff36812163959-2036
22Derby CountyDerby3688203549-1432
23Luton TownLuton3687213259-2731
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth36612183673-3730


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!