Reynolds and McElhenney mock Southampton's Spygate scandal in Firefox privacy skit ahead of Championship clash

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have taken aim at Southampton’s Spygate scandal with a promotional video released ahead of Wrexham’s EFL Championship home fixture against the Saints.

In the short clip, the Hollywood co-owners emerge from behind a tree before Reynolds deadpans: “Today, for no particular reason, we want to talk about the importance of privacy.” McElhenney follows up: “Specifically, how to prevent spies from seeing what you’re doing.” The pair then namedrop Oxford, Ipswich and Middlesbrough — three of the clubs Southampton were found to have spied on — before the video pivots to a plug for Wrexham’s primary sponsor, Firefox. According to BBC Sport, the clip has not been well received by senior EFL figures.

Southampton were expelled from last season’s Championship play-offs after beating Middlesbrough to reach the final, and were docked four points after an intern was discovered observing opponents during a training session. Further charges were brought for similar offences ahead of games against Oxford and Ipswich. Manager Tonda Eckert is still awaiting the outcome of his personal disciplinary proceedings.

Wrexham had their own stake in the controversy, finishing seventh last season and narrowly missing out on a play-off place as a result of the points deduction applied to Southampton. It is not the first time the Welsh club have taken a swipe at their opponents: when the Championship fixtures were released, Wrexham’s social media account listed “check training ground” — with an asterisk reading “for unauthorised visitors” — next to the September date of the Southampton match.

Despite the off-field noise, Southampton have made a brisk start to the new campaign, quickly erasing their four-point penalty. Tonda Eckert’s side sit ninth on 10 points after winning four of their seven games and scoring 18 goals.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson was measured when asked about the saga, making clear he has moved on. “We’re the team which obviously were affected because we were seventh, but we accepted the EFL decision on that,” he said. “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.”

Reynolds and McElhenney, who have guided Wrexham from the National League to the Championship in three successive promotions, are targeting a first-ever top-flight season in the club’s history. A win over Southampton would move them closer to the automatic promotion places.