It was a long time in coming, yet way before when it arrived Leeds United fans knew they would be punished for the ‘Spygate Scandal’.
It was definitely a sense of fait accompli for Leeds United fans, these supporters already knowing that the club would be found at fault. The thing was, no specific rule had been broken – well nothing that the EFL had in their books.
That proved to be sound thinking, the EFL scouring their rulebooks and finding the only rule that Leeds had impinged upon was a general regulation that dealt with reciprocal good faith between clubs.
Leeds United admitted breaching regulation 3.4 and the EFL punished them for it, the £200,000 fine drawing a big, thick, black line under proceedings.
All this came about after a Leeds United employee was caught loitering in the bushes outside Derby County’s training ground. That is ‘outside’ and stood on a ‘public road’ armed with only a pair of secateurs.
That pair of twig strimmers was suddenly conflated up to the level of pliers and bolt cutters by the likes of Derby County manager Frank Lampard. Cue fan outrage and calls for Leeds United to suffer points deductions and all manner of other punishments.
It was always going to be a decision that got people talking, Leeds United fans included. Here’s what some have been saying about the decision over on Twitter.
Leeds United fall £200,000 foul of SpyGate – reactions and fallout
First up are some comments from individuals other than Leeds United fans.
FIFA fined Russia £22k for racist chanting against France in March 2018.
Leeds have been fined £200k for standing on a public road.
Russia’s fine was near 10% of the Leeds fine.
— Tom Carnduff (@TomC_22) February 18, 2019
Nonsense really. No actual offence. I see a new rule to be introduced. So there wasn’t an old one. Bit farcical. But they’ve paid and that’s that. We live in political times. https://t.co/jhamT1UGFe
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) February 18, 2019
200k is a very hefty fine to pay including costs for not breaking a rule. Bielsa was to me fulfilling his professional duties as a head coach without doing anything illegal. This sanction is harsh & should not be viewed simply as being less punitive than a points deduction. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 18, 2019
Now here’s how Leeds United fans have taken the news.
200k !!!! Weren’t Palace fined £20k for something very similar?
— Nick(Bomber)Harris (@bomberharris12) February 18, 2019
Can only imagine that points deduction was avoided as not to set a precedent. Clearly those closer to football know this happens all over the place anyhow.
— John A (@JohnnyRay72) February 18, 2019
Love to see how that compares to similar incidents, seems quite a high fine
— Joe Atherton (@joetmatherton) February 18, 2019
Harvey’s handshake
— CDLD (@TwoDaff) February 18, 2019
But it is 57 Hockadays!
— Morphoolu (@Morphoolu) February 18, 2019
Yeah agree. They should of just given a warning to not do it again and then brought in a new regulation. The way they have worded it though, now you can watch training sessions but not 72hrs before a match, which is bizzare.
— Craig Lightowler (@CraigLights) February 18, 2019
Phew all done! We move on! Now let’s smash this league!! Come onnnn! 💪🏼 #lufc @lufc pic.twitter.com/iztF6Mfqm3
— Lee Thompson (@lufcThommo) February 18, 2019