Sheffield Hallam Warriors have made an official complaint to the football authorities after accusing Leeds Beckett Carnegie of filming their sideline during their Week Five game with Hull Sharks
The footage – which has been seen by Double Coverage – was filmed during a timeout, and shows a Hallam player kneeling down holding a large flipboard, which the Warriors use to call in their plays.
Article 11F of the BAFA rulebook states “(a)ny attempt to record, either through audio or video means, any signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel is prohibited.”
A still from the ten second clip in question, which shows a Hallam player (#24) holding the flipboard the Warriors use to call in plays.
Warriors offensive coordinator David Saul told Double Coverage, “There was just a single clip on the footage they shared with us, but who knows what they chose not to share. We’re more than happy to share film with teams when they ask. Sharing film, review and preparation is what makes teams better. We have nothing to hide.”
He continued, “When the Patriots got caught filming the defensive signals of the NYJ, they were labelled as cheaters. I’m going to have to look at completely changing our calls now. We only run a handful of plays, the basic formations are pretty easy to decipher with just a quarter of the action taped.”
In response, Leeds Beckett head coach Paul Wake said, “We asked and were granted permission to film by Hallam’s HC. Hallam are a good, well-coached team; being frank I would not have been very impressed if our guys that filmed had spent their time filming some cardboard signs that could easily be changed instead of the personnel and schemes that both teams used.”
He concluded, “It would be great if common sense prevailed and people realised this is not the NFL, but that does not make good copy or online attention.”
The matter has now been referred to BUCS, BAFRA and BAFA.
