How Southampton allegedly spied on Middlesbrough

How Southampton allegedly spied on MiddlesbroughImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The EFL has opened an investigation into an allegation of spying before the Championship play-off semi-finalsByDale JohnsonFootball issues correspondentPublished4 minutes agoWhenever we hear that one football club has been spying on another, it conjures images of classic, covert espionage.Shadowy figures creeping through bushes, climbing trees and taking photographs with a telephoto lens. But, as Middlesbrough have found out, sometimes it is not that difficult.Southampton stand accused of allegedly spying on their Championship play-off rivals 48 hours before their first-leg meeting at Riverside Stadium on Saturday (12:30 BST). It brings back memories of 2019, when Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa said he had sent a member of his staff not to just spy on Derby County, but every team that season.What supposedly happened at Boro's training ground? And what punishment might Southampton expect?How did Southampton allegedly manage to spy on Middlesbrough? Image source, BBC SportImage caption, The alleged spy walked from the golf club to an area overlooking Middlesbrough's training pitches before he was spottedMiddlesbrough train on the sprawling grounds of Rockliffe Hall in Hurworth-on-Tees, just outside Darlington.But this is not your classic training base, hidden away among trees and walled off from the prying eyes. Rockliffe Hall is also a luxury hotel, spa and golf resort built by Boro owner Steve Gibson. The complex is open to the public.If you want to sneak in and watch Boro training it would appear you do not have to try too hard.According to BBC sources, this is what happened late on Thursday morning.Both clubs have been approached for comment. So far Southampton have made no public statements on the matter.The supposed spy, who Boro allege to be a Southampton analyst, is said to have parked at the golf club, then walked a couple of hundred yards down a road which...