Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Mock Southampton's "Spygate" Controversy in Cheeky New Advert

Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken aim at upcoming Championship opponents Southampton, releasing a comedic promotional video referencing last season's infamous "Spygate" scandal ahead of Saturday's match at the Racecourse Ground.

The 59-second commercial posted to Wrexham's X account doubles as an ad for shirt sponsor Firefox. In the video, Reynolds pops out from behind a tree in a direct nod to circulating images of a Southampton intern caught observing opponents' practices to address the camera on digital safety.

In the clip, Reynolds kicks off the skit:

"Today, for no particular reason, we want to talk about the importance of privacy."

McElhenney joins in to add:

"Specifically, how to prevent spies from seeing what you're doing."

During the discussion on online security, Reynolds pokes fun at searching "how to run a football club" before emphasizing that privacy is "important to people everywhere", specifically naming clubs targeted in past incidents like Middlesbrough, Oxford, and Ipswich. 

Reynolds ends the video by stating:

"Refreshing, huh? An organisation that actually respects your privacy."

The video concludes with both owners peering at a smartphone screen that allegedly displays footage of a Southampton pickleball team practicing.

The Fallout of the "Spygate" Scandal

The video addresses the fallout from last season's Championship play-off run, where an intern linked to Southampton was caught watching semi-final rivals Middlesbrough during training. Subsequent investigations revealed similar surveillance incidents occurred earlier in the campaign against Oxford United and Ipswich Town.

As a result of the charges, Southampton were kicked out of the play-off final, allowing Middlesbrough to take their spot, and the team received a four-point deduction applied ahead of the current season.

Despite the league sanction, Southampton currently sit ninth in the table on 10 points. Wrexham enter Saturday's 15:00 BST fixture in 19th place with seven points, coming off a 6-0 loss against West Ham United.

Pre-Match Reactions and Earlier Teasers

This isn't the first time Wrexham have teased their rivals over the controversy. When releasing their league fixtures in June, the club included a calendar entry on September 17th reading "check training ground" with an asterisk clarifying "for unauthorised visitors". On social media, Wrexham also posted details of the fixture alongside a spy emoji and a warning note.

Other clubs have similarly targeted the Saints. During Southampton's season opener at Watford, home fans mocked the visiting side, while Watford's mascot stood behind a goalpost holding up hands to mimic binoculars.

While EFL officials reportedly viewed Wrexham's promotional video as being in poor taste, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson clarified that his squad has moved past the drama and is focused purely on the upcoming match. 

Reflecting on last season's finish, Parkinson said:

"We're the team which obviously were affected because we were seventh, but we accepted the EFL decision on that. Southampton got punished for it and they've had to accept their punishment and move on. That's all I can say on it really, it's gone. We're concentrating on what we've got to do and likewise they're the same."