The English Football League has received a complaint from Middlesbrough over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone connected to Southampton during a training session ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

The EFL said the alleged incident was being considered as “potential misconduct” under its regulations, reviving memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its ‘good faith’ regulations.

Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.

“It’s crazy with all the data and the details we get on teams, you still have somebody that needs to know what’s going on,” former defender Davies told Sky Sports.

“I imagine they were trying to find out a shape if they did it, or whatever.

“We had it at Derby with Leeds and Bielsa. The funny thing about that was Bielsa was so bullish (saying) ‘It’s what we do (in Argentina)’.

“At that time it was unprecedented and there was a £200,000 fine for Leeds.

“I’m guessing if anything is to found to be untoward there’ll be a heavy sanction (for Southampton).”

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Middlesbrough and Southampton will go head to head at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, with the second leg of their semi-final taking place at St Mary’s next Tuesday night.

Davies added: “From a game where we were speaking about both teams going full throttle, in their faces, up getting balls forward, trying to attack the opposition box constantly, to now when it’s going to be an edge off the pitch as well.

“I think it’s going to be fantastic because it adds that extra element, especially in the play-offs.”