In responding to spying accusations leveled at him by Derby County, Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa stated in a press conference that he had a spy observe training sessions of every opponent this season. 

“I observed all the rivals we played against and watched the training sessions of all opponents. So why did I send someone to watch them? Just because I thought I wasn’t violating the norm. All the information I need to clarify [my tactics] I gather without watching the training session of the opponent … but we feel guilty if we don’t work enough. Watching it [the opponents training] allows us to have less anxiety and, in my case, I am stupid enough to allow this kind of behaviour,” explained Bielsa.

Bielsa presented a power point of his tactical preparation against Derby. He maintains that what he did is not technically illegal.

“Regarding what I’ve done it is not illegal. It’s not specified, described or restrained. It’s not seen as a good thing but it is not a violation of the law. Although not illegal it’s not necessarily the right thing to do. But the wrong things you do are not done with bad intention or an intention to cheat."

The Football League and FA are currently investigating the spying allegations.