Southampton CEO Phil Parsons made a statement this week, that pointed fingers at Leeds United. The Saints are currently in the middle of a scandal.
A few weeks ago, the club were accused of spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their Championship playoff tie. And after investigations, Southampton were charged.
The club admitted that they had also spied on other teams during the season, which lead to further sanctions. An independent ruling saw them thrown out of the Championship playoff final this weekend, with Middlesbrough taking their place.
After the decision, Saints CEO Phil Parsons said his side’s punishment was unfair, referencing the Leeds spygate scandal in 2019:
”we accept that there should be a sanction. What we cannot accept is a sanction which bears no proportion to the offence. Whereas Leeds United was fined £200,000 for a similar offence, Southampton has been denied the opportunity to compete in a game worth more than £200 million and one which means so much to our staff, players and supporters.”
When Bielsa and Leeds were found guilty, they only paid a £200,000 fine.
Daniel Farke breaks silence on Southampton Spygate scandal
Friday was the first time anyone employed by Leeds United opened up on the recent scandal. Daniel Farke was asked about his comments on the whole issue, and he gave a rather measured answer.
”It’s not so much my topic. I have to concentrate on Leeds United. Also not so interested to know all the details. There are experts who know everything, for that I’m not in this panel. I’ve got enough to concentrate on here. The final is between Hull and Boro, one will go up.” he said in Friday’s press conference.
The whole issue has dominated the headlines, and many are still referencing Leeds, despite them being sanctioned years ago.
READ MORE: ‘Leeds United was…’ – Southampton CEO makes bold statement amid spygate scandal
Leeds have moved past this
The Bielsa spygate scandal happen seven years ago; Leeds have already been sanctioned and fined. They have served their punishment, and things have moved forward.
Southampton’s issue is recent, and they broke the rules after the EFL changed them years ago.
As much as they can argue the punishment was unfair, the rules clearly state that what they did was in breach of some serious relegations.
The Whites have moved forward and gone through many things to become a Premier League club now. And that is what everyone at Elland Road should be focused on heading into the future.
EFL have really opened themselved up to accusations of corruption with how they have dealt with this whole situation. Boro CEO on the EFL board pushing for and epidited disaplinary process “to allow for footballing sanctions!”. Boro and EFL working together to release statements and make evidence public. “Independent Disaplinary Panel” including an ex footballer who has played for Boro and a Lawyer formally appointed by them. An apeal process re-written to exclude new evidence and reduce appeal time from 14 days to 1. Largest fooballing sanction in history for breaking a rule that doesnt exist anywhere else in Europe includig the Premier League. Southampton are not pointing fingers at Leeds they are pointing them at the EFL.