After Scandal That Shattered Promotion Dream, Southampton Rewards 'Tree Spy' with Permanent Job
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Press reports revealed that Southampton FC offered a permanent job to trainee Will Salt, who became famous due to the spying scandal that led to the team's exclusion from the English Championship playoff and deprived it of playing the final at Wembley Stadium.
Southampton coach Tonda Eckert had asked Salt to spy on a number of the team's rivals in the Championship, before he was caught filming Middlesbrough's training from behind a tree.
Salt revealed before a committee of the English Football League that he had no opportunity to refuse coach Eckert's instructions, who retained his position after receiving support from club owner Dragan Solak, and he published an eight-minute video in which he apologized.
The Daily Mail reported that Salt, 23, has now been offered a permanent position within Southampton's academy.
The details of the spying operations came to light after the trainee used his personal bank card to buy coffee from a place located right next to Middlesbrough's training ground.
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson immediately asked football officials to trace the electronic traces left by the trainee.
Southampton
The scandal, which led to Southampton's exclusion from the promotion playoff final in May, estimated to be worth around 200 million pounds sterling, was revealed through WhatsApp messages sent to Salt that put him under intense pressure, and indicated that coach Eckert was not satisfied with the clips the trainee sent from Middlesbrough and wanted him to travel a day earlier to spy.
Investigations quickly uncovered incriminating phone records, showing the analyst near the grounds and facilities of several of Southampton's Championship rivals throughout the season.
Sources confirmed to The Sun at the time that Southampton officials were unaware of the spying operations.
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Original source: Al Arabiya
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