Paul Merson has hit out at the people he has heard suggesting that Leeds United should be hit with a points deduction for the spygate controversy that is currently engulfing the Championship leaders.
Marcelo Bielsa has admitted to sending someone to spy on his opponents this season in preparations for matches, which has led to a huge reaction from certain pundits who believe that it is against the principles of the game.
The EFL have since launched an investigation into the Whites’ covert tactics after a member of Bielsa’s staff was caught watching the Derby squad in training last week.
Merson believes that a fine is enough for the Yorkshire club as a points deduction would be a massive kick in the teeth of the club’s supporters.
“I’ve heard people calling for points deduction, that would be a joke,” Merson said, as quoted on the Sky Sports website. “You’re talking about a massive club like Leeds, who have been out of the biggest league in the world for a long time. To punish their fans, that’s not right. If they found them guilty, give them a fine, but don’t punish the fans.
“[Spying] is not right and it probably isn’t wrong! There are no rules to say you can’t do it, my only worry would be if they go up they’ll find it hard to do it in the Premier League with the training grounds there.
“I think [Bielsa] was really honest, really honest, I really do. I think it happens where he comes from, and he doesn’t see a problem with it. I thought he was honest, I haven’t got a problem with it. They haven’t broken any rules.”
OPINION
Merson, for once, is absolutely spot on. The outrage over this spygate scandal has been so over the top. Most of the rage seems to be coming from a select few pundits, but Merson is right with what he is saying. Bielsa has not broken any rules and his press conference on Wednesday proved that just sending someone to stand outside a training ground isn’t all he does to keep an eye on opponents. His press conference may have encapsulated some, but it would be a shock if the majority of managers in the Championship and Premier League weren’t matching his levels of preparation. You can bet that Leeds aren’t the only club that have been up to it as well. Derby’s training ground is adjacent to a public footpath – anyone can watch them. Is it so different to sending a scout to watch them play in a game? Maybe, because you don’t except spectators at training, but still, you can make your training ground more private. Derby will have a good think about that now.