The EFL has launched a formal investigation after it was revealed Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to Derby’s training ground.
Bielsa has accepted full responsibility for employing a member of staff to watch his opponents train ahead of Friday night’s 2-0 win, although he insists he has done nothing illegal.
Derbyshire Police were forced to intervene and move the individual on, while Leeds have since apologised to Derby and said they will remind Bielsa of his responsibilities.
The Football Association has begun its own probe and the EFL has 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.”
Derby boss Frank Lampard reacted furiously to the incident before and after his side’s 2-0 defeat, and reiterated his disapproval yesterday.
He said: “I don’t think offering my opinion now on what should happen is the right thing to do. I think I made my feelings quite clear after the Leeds game.
“It’s up to how much the FA and EFL want to stop what happened happening again, or whether they don’t.”
