What a previous 'Spygate' case tells us about how Leeds United may be punished

The question is, what's next? Well - here is how the situation currently looks for Leeds United and how a previous 'spygate' incident could suggest a possible punishment for the Whites.

What is the current state of play?

The EFL's investigations are ongoing after they released the following statement on Tuesday.

“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 11 January 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.”

In the statement, the EFL asked Leeds to explain their viewpoint over the 'spygate' scandal, and we know from Wednesday evening that Bielsa has done just that.

The EFL stated that they will look at the case in relation to two regulations - centring around clubs behaving 'with the utmost good faith' to each other and not bringing the league into disrepute, with no set sanctions listed in the EFL rulebook.

What could happen?

Leeds aren't the first English club to be involved in a 'spygate' scandal.

Crystal Palace were found guilty of a similar, but not quite the same, incident nearly five years ago.

Palace were accused by Premier League rivals Cardiff City of discovering their team information prior to the relegation six-pointer between the two sides in April 2014.

The south London outfit, who won the clash 3-0, were charged by the Premier League for the breach and were estimated to have been fined around £25,000 for the incident, despite calls from Cardiff for the result to be reversed.

“The Premier League board has considered a complaint from Cardiff City regarding the conduct of a Crystal Palace official,” a statement read.

“The board found that Crystal Palace breached Rule B.16 and has exercised its summary jurisdiction and fined the club.”

"Rule B.16 states that “in all matters and transactions relating to the League each club shall behave towards each other club and the league with the utmost good faith”.

Of course, the EFL and Premier League are separate governing bodies, however it does offer an indication of the sanction that could be inflicted on the Whites if found guilty of any wrongdoing.

Bielsa invited the media to an extroadinary briefing on Wednesday evening to show in great detail the lengths he and his coaching staff go to for every opponent.

The hour-long presentation discussed Derby's tactics publicly and at length - we are yet to find out whether that may bring its own punishment.

That said, it is pure speculation on that front and first impressions suggests it is more of an ethical dilemma - which Bielsa admitted himself - rather than something to land you in trouble.