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Wrexham co-chairmen Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken a playful swipe at Southampton over their involvement in the "Spygate" controversy ahead of the two clubs' meeting this weekend.
In a newly released advertisement for Wrexham's sponsor Firefox, the duo emphasize the value of online security while standing beside a tree — a clear nod to the Southampton intern who was caught secretly observing a Middlesbrough training session before their Championship playoff semifinal clash.
The one-minute social media clip was strategically timed to drop before Wrexham's home fixture against Southampton this weekend, with Reynolds declaring: "Today, for no particular reason, we want to talk about the importance of privacy." McElhenney follows up with: "Specifically, how to prevent spies from seeing what you're doing."
Southampton Reminded 'Spygate' Won't Be Forgotten
Thanks to @firefox for keeping moles out of our Racecourse and data. 😉
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/vL1kQ9vTRx
The social media video has sparked mixed reactions, having already racked up several million views. While many fans see it as a harmless bit of banter directed at their upcoming opponents, others feel it crosses a line given the serious nature of the underlying incident.
Reynolds and McElhenney have injected considerable humor into football since completing their Wrexham takeover in February 2021, and the Firefox advertisement is yet another illustration of their unconventional approach to club ownership.
The viral clip opens with the pair stepping out from behind a tree at a training facility before discussing the importance of keeping sensitive information away from prying eyes. Reynolds adds: "There's some things that you just don't want any other people to see, like your search queries about warts, or how to run a football club."
McElhenney and Reynolds deliver another tongue-in-cheek reference to the "Spygate" affair by noting that privacy isn't just a concern for Wrexham supporters or people in Oxford, Ipswich, or Middlesbrough — the three clubs Southampton were found to have spied upon.
Reynolds wraps things up by saying: "Refreshing, huh? An organization that actually respects your privacy," before the ad reveals that the two have themselves been spying on Southampton's pickleball team.
What Was the Southampton Spygate Drama?
Southampton were expelled from the Championship playoff race after admitting to multiple violations of league regulations, particularly those "requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match."
The high-profile case, dubbed "Spygate," became public knowledge on May 8 after Southampton were formally charged with conducting surveillance on playoff rivals Middlesbrough.
A Southampton junior performance analyst was captured on CCTV at Middlesbrough's training ground and accused of filming the session. The club subsequently admitted to further violations relating to a December fixture against Oxford United and an April encounter with Ipswich Town.
Beyond being denied the chance to compete for approximately $295 million in Championship promotion playoff prize money, Southampton began the new campaign with a four-point deduction. They have since recovered from that setback and currently sit ninth in the table, three points above Wrexham. Without the points penalty, Tonda Eckert's side would presently occupy second place in the standings.