EFL launches formal investigation into Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa’s spying admission

.Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa admitted before Friday night’s 2-0 win over Derby that he was responsible for sending a member of club staff to watch the Rams training on Thursday.

Derbyshire Police were forced to intervene and move the individual on but he was not arrested.

Leeds have since apologised to Derby and said they will remind Bielsa of his responsibilities.

Bielsa insisted the practice was not unlawful or illegal, but he could still fall foul of EFL regulations which state clubs must behave towards each other in good faith.

The Football Association has begun its own probe and the EFL has now 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.

“The EFL has now determined that it is appropriate to consider this matter in the context of a number of EFL regulations whilst also noting that the alleged actions appear to contravene the Club’s Charter that all EFL clubs agreed to in summer 2018.

“The decision to progress this matter to a formal investigation comes as a result of the club’s manager, Marcelo Bielsa, admitting to instructing an individual to undertake the acts being complained of in a television interview broadcast on Sky Sports on Friday, January 11, 2019.

“The Football Association has also confirmed they are considering the same matter in line with its own rules and the EFL will work with its FA counterparts to ensure that any potential action taken does not prejudice those investigations being undertaken.”

Press Association Sport has contacted Leeds seeking a response.