Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds spygate row: Marcelo Bielsa says he's watched all opponents in training but insists team have done nothing illegal


Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a member of his staff to watch all of Leeds' opponents in training this season, but insisted it was only tiny percentage of the preparation he puts in during an elaborate news conference on Wednesday.

The Sky Bet Championship club held an impromptu press conference where Bielsa admitted on having watched every team in training, but then went on to produce an elaborate presentation detailing that it was only a minor part of the vast preparation that goes into every game.

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"I observed all the rivals we played against and watched the training sessions of all opponents," Bielsa said.

"All the information I need to clarify, I gather it without watching the training session of the opponent, so why did I send someone to watch them? Just because I thought I wasn't violating the norm. I gathered information that I can obtain in another way.

"We feel guilty if we don't work enough, it [watching the opponents train] allows us to have less anxiety and in my case I am stupid enough to allow this kind of behaviour."

Bielsa admitted he was responsible for sending a member of club staff to watch Derby training on Thursday, and now wanted to make it easier for the on-going English Football League investigations.

"I'm going to make it easier for the EFL investigation," Bielsa said. "I'm going to make it easier for them and I assume my behaviour is observed from the most extreme position.

"My goal is to make this easier for the investigation. By doing this I assume the possible sanctions by the authorities.

"I don't want to compare my situation with previous similar incidents. I don't want to make it easier for me by attacking others.

"Regarding what I've done - it is not illegal. It's not specified, described or restrained."


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