This is the sensational image that shows a Southampton analyst hiding behind a tree and using his mobile phone to spy on Middlesbrough’s training session.
Daily Mail Sport can exclusively reveal the picture that proves the individual, who we have positively identified as Southampton intern William Salt, was overlooking Boro’s tactical drills in the 72 hours before their Championship play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday. It could yet lead to Saints being kicked out of next weekend’s play-off final and replaced by Middlesbrough.
Our Spygate investigation has also uncovered a picture of Salt on the shoulder of Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert, celebrating his manager of the month prize for February. Salt, say sources, is a key part of Eckert’s first-team operation and highly valued by the German.
Interestingly, he was not present on the picture of Eckert and his backroom staff released last Thursday to mark April’s manager of the month award. That was the same day he was pictured between bushes at Boro’s training base before being confronted by club staff and fleeing the area after running into a nearby golf club and changing clothes in the toilet.
Eckert also won the divisional prize for March and, again, Salt was not on the celebratory picture released to the media on April 9. Southampton beat play-off rivals Derby County 2-1 two days later.
A Southampton analyst hiding behind a tree to spy on Middlesbrough’s training session
William Salt, circled, is pictured with manager Tonda Eckert to mark February’s Manager of the Month award
In another shock development, we understand the intern, formerly of Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, used his bank card on Thursday to buy a coffee at Rockliffe Hall Golf Club – owned by Boro chairman Steve Gibson. The apparent slip has given rise to the possibility of a paper trail across the country, with transactions close to the bases of other Championship clubs in the days prior to playing Southampton.
We understand that one Championship club believe they were spied on after changing manager before playing Eckert’s side in December. CCTV is being reviewed. Since being appointed Saints boss in November, Eckert’s team have the second-best record from set-pieces in the Championship.
Boro now suspect that last Thursday’s episode was not the first time they have been the victim of such unsporting espionage. That is why their legal team are pushing for Southampton and the individual accused of spying to provide all relevant documents and records linked to the case, which will be heard by an independent disciplinary commission after the EFL charged the south coast club with a breach of the League’s rules.
A whistleblower is understood to have provided a statement supporting the suspicion of Southampton spying on opponents before matches. If proven to be a systemic practice, it would raise serious questions over the futures of senior individuals within the club who sanctioned the tactic.
Boro were beaten 2-1 by Southampton on Tuesday night in their semi-final second leg, but the hearing could determine that Saints cheated by observing and recording Boro’s training and remove them from the competition. The viewing of opposition training in the 72 hours prior to a game is a breach of EFL rules, introduced after the Spygate furore involving Leeds United in 2019.
Salt was absent from a photoshoot for March – despite nine staff joining Eckert for the photo
And in April Salt was not included once again – Eckert was joined by nine staff this time too
Kim Hellberg’s Boro squad will not go on holiday until there is a resolution to the case, with the play-off final taking place at Wembley a week on Saturday, where Hull City await. Boro’s players will return to training on Friday. There is now pressure on the EFL to schedule the hearing before this weekend to give clarity to all involved, not least both sets of supporters.
Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, has called for Southampton to be chucked out of the play-off final.
‘Kim Hellberg’s post-match interview showed his decency, commitment and total integrity,’ McDonald said. ‘By contrast, the Southampton manager walks out again when asked if he is a cheat. Remarkable lack of awareness for the club spokesman to respond with, “Have some respect”. What respect did they show to Kim Hellberg, his players, to MFC and our fans?’
Southampton have been approached for comment.
