Southampton spy ‘fled Middlesbrough’s training ground’ as bombshell leaks emerge | Football | Sport

The analyst working for Southampton at the heart of the Spygate scandal reportedly fled Middlesbrough‘s training ground to a nearby golf course after being caught red-handed. Will Salt, a first-team performance analyst intern, was pictured filming Boro’s training session two days before they were due to face the Saints in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Images showed Salt recording on a mobile phone from behind a tree at the Rockliffe Park training facility. He was ultimately caught in the act, sparking one of the biggest scandals in English football history. In a hearing on Tuesday, Southampton admitted to spying on Middlesbrough as well as conducting similar operations against Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season.

As a result, they were kicked out of this weekend’s play-off final against Hull City, with Middlesbrough taking their place at Wembley. Southampton were also handed a four-point deduction, effective at the start of the 2026/27 season.

An appeal process is currently ongoing, with a decision expected to be communicated by the end of Wednesday. Southampton are seeking to be reinstated into the play-off final, as well as having their points deduction overturned.

The whole saga has stemmed from Salt being caught by members of Middlesbrough’s media team while filming their training session before the semi-finals.

According to The Athletic, he had been booked to stay for two nights and the plan was for him to return to the training ground for a second day until he was spotted and confronted.

Salt reportedly fled to a nearby golf course, where he changed his clothes in the locker room before leaving the premises on foot.

The report adds that when Southampton spied on Ipswich before their 2-2 draw in April, the operation involved dressing in Eastleigh kit as a disguise. Ipswich were training at the non-league club’s base in Hampshire ahead of the fixture at St Mary’s.

It’s also claimed that Southampton’s players only discovered they had been kicked out of the play-offs via text message when the news was made public.

Many players are believed to be furious and are thought to be exploring their legal options if the verdict is upheld.

Express Sport have approached Southampton for comment regarding the above claims.

Hull City are also said to be deeply unhappy, with their preparations for the final having been thrown into disarray. They had spent four training sessions focusing on playing Southampton before the Saints were kicked out.

Middlesbrough, meanwhile, continued to train following their semi-final defeat in case they were placed into the final at Southampton’s expense.