{
  "id": 8027105,
  "title": "Spying scandal is still haunting Southampton as Reynolds and Wrexham continue the pile-on",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/spying-scandal-is-still-haunting-southampton-as-reynolds-and-wrexham",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T13:01:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/spying-scandal-still-haunting-southampton-130138996.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Just when it seemed that Southampton's \"Spygate\" scandal couldn't stir any more controversy, Wrexham's co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have once again targeted the Southampton team. In a video released ahead of their upcoming match, Reynolds and Mac made cutting references to the scandal that cost Southampton their chance at promotion last season. The promotional video focuses on privacy and preventing others from spying, but the message was clear: Southampton was the subject of those spying antics last year.\n\nThe video, part of a collaboration with Firefox, alluded to three teams Southampton had been found spying on: Wrexham, Oxford, and Ipswich. The tree featured in the video is a nod to a Southampton intern caught filming a Middlesbrough training session from behind a tree, which triggered the investigation and led to Southampton's expulsion from the playoffs and a four-point deduction.\n\nSouthampton's manager, Tonda Eckert, is currently facing charges from the Football Association for allegedly bringing the game into disrepute. The Football Association's arbitration panel stated that the offense was a \"contrived and determined plan from top down to gain a competitive advantage.\" Despite the controversy, Southampton has been performing well, winning four games and drawing the other two in their first season back. They currently sit in ninth place in the Championship standings, aiming to climb back into the playoff races and potentially return to the Premier League.",
  "summary": "Another week, another taunt as Southampton continues to be dogged by its conduct in the “Spygate” soccer scandal. This time, the jibes are coming from Wrexham’s famous co-owners. Ahead of a match between the teams in England’s second-tier Championship on Saturday, Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac released a video containing cutting references to a saga from last season that saw Southampton expelled from…",
  "key_points": [
    "Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac target Southampton over Spygate scandal.",
    "Video references Southampton's 2022 spying on Wrexham, Oxford, and Ipswich.",
    "Southampton currently 9th in Championship, aiming for playoffs return."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/8027105.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Spying scandal is still haunting Southampton as Reynolds and Wrexham continue the pile-on",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/spying-scandal-is-still-haunting-southampton-as-reynolds-and-wrexham-8034385",
        "published": "2026-09-17T13:02:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Pick of the stats: Wrexham v Southampton",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/pick-of-the-stats-wrexham-v-southampton",
        "published": "2026-09-17T14:04:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Wrexham owners aim Spygate dig at Southampton",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/wrexham-owners-aim-spygate-dig-at-southampton",
        "published": "2026-09-17T16:33:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Wrexham co-owners Reynolds, McElhenney spoof Southampton 'Spygate' ahead of Championship clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/wrexham-co-owners-reynolds-mcelhenney-spoof-southampton-spygate-ahead",
        "published": "2026-09-17T17:55:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}