Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been handed a suspended six-week ban and a £28,000 fine by the Football Association over his involvement in last season’s Spygate scandal, allowing him to continue in his role.
Tonda Eckert has been handed a verdict(Image: Getty)
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has received a six-week suspended ban from the Football Association following his role in last season’s notorious spygate scandal. The Saints were expelled from the Championship play-off final after it emerged they had spied on Middlesbrough ahead of their semi-final clash.
The South Coast club acknowledged at a hearing that they had carried out similar surveillance operations against Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season. Southampton were also docked four points by the EFL, a punishment that came into force at the start of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Saints confirmed that Eckert would keep his position as head coach despite the scandal that shook English football. The FA has now delivered its verdict on Eckert, permitting him to continue in his role as the ban remains suspended until next season, with the 33-year-old also handed a £28,000 fine.
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The six-week ban would only be triggered should Eckert be found to have engaged in any further spying activity between now and the conclusion of the 2027/28 campaign. He previously apologised for his conduct, claiming he had been unaware that such actions were against the rules.
The FA appeared to take a different view and pursued disciplinary action, while an EFL independent disciplinary commission concluded that Eckert had been directly involved, describing the entire affair as a “contrived and determined plan from the top down”. Saints argued they had already faced sufficient consequences, having been stripped of the chance to compete for a Premier League play-off place at Wembley, with Eckert sanctioned for three breaches of FA Rule E3.1, reports the Express.
He told BBC Sport last month: “It’s been a big, big punishment.
“Absolutely unheard of in the history of sports. I’ve asked for forgiveness for what I’ve done. I’ve apologised publicly.”
Southampton have endured a turbulent start to the campaign, taking their points deduction into consideration, and currently occupy thirteenth position having won four of their eight matches.
Local rivals Portsmouth are up next, with the Championship resuming this weekend following a lengthy international break. Fortunately for Eckert, the fixture is being held at St Mary’s Stadium rather than Fratton Park, meaning the atmosphere is likely to be considerably less antagonistic.
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