The EFL recently launched an investigation into the affair
Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown thinks Leeds United should be docked points after Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted to spying on Derby County – and every other opponent – during a press briefing on Thursday.
Bielsa’s controversial tactic of sending a member of his staff to spy on his opponents’ training sessions has divided the footballing community, with some people laughing it off as just one of Bielsa’s many eccentricities, while others have condemned his actions as cheating.
Bielsa has not technically broken any rules, but the English Football League and Football Association are investigating the matter.
Lansdown has called on the footballing authorities to punish Leeds, who currently sit top of the Championship, with a point deduction.
Speaking to BBC Points West, the Bristol City owner said:Â “The only thing that makes sense if I’m honest is a points deduction.”
“They ought to seriously consider it but I don’t think that will happen as I don’t think the EFL will be strong enough to do something like that.
“A fine would go some way towards showing it’s not acceptable. Whatever happens we mustn’t condone it.
“If he’d asked to send someone to watch our training we would have said no. And every other football club would say no. So why does he think it’s acceptable to do it?
“However great a coach he is, it’s the wrong thing to do. Poking around and skulking around a training ground is not part of the game.”
Former England international Stuart Pearce was also scathing in his condemnation of Bielsa’s antics, saying on Sky Sports show The Debate that the result of Leeds vs Derby should be reversed.
https://twitter.com/HLTCO/status/1085472162058780672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1085472162058780672&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fstuart-pearce-leeds-spygate-row-215739
Personally, I think we all need to put the kettle on and have a think about how we channel our anger. This is a storm in a teapot.
