LEEDS PUNISHED
Leeds fined £200,000 for ‘Spygate’ scandal at Derby training ground last month
EFL formally reprimanded the Yorkshire side after admitting sending somebody to spy on their next opponents
EFL formally reprimanded the Yorkshire side after admitting sending somebody to spy on their next opponents
LEEDS have been fined £200,000 and given a formal reprimand for last month's 'Spygate' scandal.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted to sending somebody to watch opponents Derby at their training ground on January 10.
Leeds also supported a new EFL regulation that bans clubs from viewing opposition training in the 72 hours before a match.
A Leeds statement read: "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."
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.
"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."
The EFL launched their probe into the scandal on January 15 after Bielsa had already admitted he spies on all his opponents.
EFL chiefs wrote to the Elland Road club “requesting their observations” after Derby officials spotted the Leeds representative with his binoculars out.
Leeds boss Bielsa held his hands up before the game, which his side won 2-0, and admitted he was responsible.
The Argentine appeared to think it was no big deal, despite the angry response of Derby chief Frank Lampard.
