Leicester were furious with the drones being used to spy on them
Leicester City were left furious after drones were spotted flying above the first team to spy on them training ahead of their game against Brighton on Saturday.
A drone operator flew the camera over Brendan Rodgers’ training session to capture footage of stars such as James Maddison, Jamie Vardy and Harvey Barnes.
The man in charge of the camera also allegedly refused to leave the area when asked by security and since then, footage of the drone operator has emerged on YouTube and TikTok.
@djaudits You Can’t Be Here When The 1st Team Are Training. I Need To Ask You To Leave Now. ??? #lcfc#leicestercityfootballclub #lcfctrainingground #audit ♬ original sound – DJ AUDITS
In the video security can be seen threatening to call the police, even though the operator wasn’t technically breaking the law. There is no suggestion that Brighton were responsible for the drone.
A source told The Sun: “The man was insistent he wouldn’t leave.
“He filmed drills which are supposed to be kept confidential.
“They’re a key part of team tactics and opponents finding out about them before a game would be a huge problem.
“After the session the squad discussed it. We’ve since been told the club are taking it further as similar things have happened before and to rivals.
“Some footage has already been on YouTube and TikTok. Who knows where else it goes?”
Former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa admitted admitted he once sent a colleague to spy on Derby County in 2019 ahead of a game against them and the club were subsequently fined £200,00.
The English Football League acknowledged that while the move was not illegal, it was unsporting, and therefore introduced a new rule which prevented anyone from viewing opponents’ training sessions up to 72 hours before a fixture.
Related links:
- Klopp pokes fun at Bielsa ‘Spygate’ controversy ahead of Leeds game
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- Frank Lampard hits back at Leeds fans’ ‘Spygate’ chant with Premier League dig
