Frank Lampard thinks ‘outstanding’ Leeds and ‘fantastic’ Marcelo Bielsa deserve Premier League promotion despite ‘spygate’

Frank Lampard thinks ‘outstanding’ Leeds and ‘fantastic’ Marcelo Bielsa deserve Premier League promotion despite ‘spygate’
Frank Lampard insists Leeds United deserve to achieve promotion this season, despite the controversy surrounding spygate.The Whites were hit with a 200,000 fine, but avoided a points deduction after admitting to spying on every one of their opponents at their respective training grounds.The incident was sparked by Derby County calling the police after a person with binoculars – later found to have been a Leeds staff member – was spotted watching Lampards side train the day before the two teams met in a Championship clash at Elland Road.

Officers have just attended the Training Ground for @dcfcofficial After a suspicious male was seen at the perimeter fence. Excellent searching conducted & male was located. All checks above board! Keeping the team safe to bring home a win against #LUFC on 11th! #SpyingIsCheating pic.twitter.com/a12Zj8gISX— Derby Response Unit – Derbyshire Constabulary (@DerbyResponse) January 10, 2019

Leeds were fined and warned to not repeat their behaviour, which breached EFL regulation 3.4 stating clubs must behave in utmost good faith towards their fellow clubs.However, Lampard has been keen to play down the incident and retains full respect for counterpart Marcelo Bielsa.He said on Drive: The facts remain the same, we had to stop our training session and Leeds have obviously gone on and said that it happens regularly which is fair play actually and its been dealt with.2

Bielsa brazenly admitted Leeds have spied on every team they have faced this season

Im passionate about the job I am doing and the work here I am doing and so when a day before going into the game, sort of in good faith, trying to work youre team and we were working on team shape when the police came.It happened very quickly I dont want to be a cry baby about that moment in itself. Just as a manager, personally I felt thats something which is a bit sacred.Working, in detail, about the game tomorrow and thats just how I felt.I know it got so many legs in the end and it ran away with itself so I tried to sort of step away from it even though I got asked in every press conference. But then it got dealt with.2

Leeds and Derby seem set for automatic promotion

I think its something, in my view, which shouldnt go on again. I think the punishment was more than enough and I was never there asking for points to be taken off Leeds.The Chelsea legend may well be chasing promotion to the Premier League with Derby this season, but was gracious enough to admit Leeds deserved to up regardless of their prior indiscretions.With just ten games remaining of this Championship season, Lampard believes Leeds and Norwich are destined for the automatic promotion spots.I think actually Leeds are a fantastic team this year and Bielsa is a fantastic manager, he added. And the way its going, them and Norwich are the outstanding teams in the league at this minute and the ones that will deserve promotion spygate or no spygate. I didnt want to make a big deal out of it that it is an absolute game-changer.It was just one those of those managerial things everyone is very intense on their tactics and how they can get a small edge.And I just thought it was something that wasnt quite right in the etiquette of how we work.

---

Zinedine Zidane has cast doubt over the future of Gareth Bale at Real Madrid after dropping the Welshman for the defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday. Bale has failed to make Real's matchday squad

---

Harry Maguire reveals he does not respect Matej Vydra after crunching tackle left Czech Republic striker regretting targeting Leicester City defender.
The Latest Leicester City News (Talk Sport) | SportSpyder

---

PAPER GOSSIP Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool tracking 'Turkish Messi', Arsenal target Everton star, West Ham to land free transfer.
Transfer news and football gossip: Liverpool tracking

---

Emiliano Sala: Search for missing plane carrying Cardiff City

---

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will reportedly miss the remainder of January due to the Chelsea midfielder's back injury flaring up. Loftus-Cheek was withdrawn inside the opening 45 minutes of Saturday's
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Chelsea midfielder to miss remainder of

---

Arsenal news: Gunners close in on dubious Premier League record despite another win. Unai Emery's side may be unbeaten in 21 but their dismal first half record is worrying.
Goal rush Gunners | Feature | News | Arsenal.com

---

Every word of Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham press

---

- The Portuguese coach says Pogba was not solely responsible for his exit - Man United suffered eight defeat on their final 12 games across all competitions to finish sixth . Jose Mourinho says his criticism about Manchester United have been justified and insists the issues pinpointed still exist under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Jose Mourinho: Man Utd Issues Are Still There, Paul Pogba Not

---

Headline Willian urges Callum Hudson-Odoi to stay and fulfil his potential at Chelsea Asked about the future of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Gianfranco Zola says we want him to stay, he has a contract
Gianfranco Zola Admits He Doesn't Know if Callum Hudson-Odoi

---

Liverpool stun Barcelona with miracle Anfield win to reach CL final time but the real turning point came at half-time with Robertson, who took a kick from Luis Suarez - accidental or not
Andy Robertson to undergo scan after limping off in Liverpool

---

Injured Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was chased by stewards who thought he was a pitch invader after their 2-1 win over Liverpool on Thursday. Mendy has been recovering from knee surgery but that did not stop him from joining in the celebrations at full-time following the win at the Etihad. Benjamin Mendy joining in with the celebrations
Benjamin Mendy chased by Manchester City stewards who thought

---

Premier League strugglers Fulham made a surprise swoop for forgotten Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic on a busy transfer deadline day. Fulham complete late deal for Liverpool's Lazar Markovic
Fulham complete late deal for Liverpool´s Lazar Markovic

---

In a statement explaining their decision, Watford have blamed Everton for the Portuguese's sacking - claiming their manager lost focus after the Toffees approached him in November. But who is Silva joining on the 2017/18 managerial casualties list? CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO SEE EVERY PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGERIAL SACKING THIS SEASON.
The Premier League Sack Race: Who'll be next out the door?

---