Southampton boss Tonda Eckert learns FA punishment after ‘Spygate’ investigation

BREAKING

The scandal saw his side kicked out of the Championship playoffs in May, as they were found to have sent staff to gather information about Middlesbrough's own play-off preparations.

Boro then advanced to the final, where they lost out on a place in the Premier League to Hull City.

As reported by The Athletic, Eckert has also been handed a £28,000 fine, after being charged by the FA for "bringing the game into disrepute."

As the ban is suspended, Eckert is permitted to continue his role as Southampton manager unimpeded, and will be on the touchline for the Saints' match against Portsmouth on Sunday.

FA statement, confirming their decision:

"Southampton FC’s Tonda Eckert has been sanctioned by an independent Regulatory Commission for three breaches of FA Rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026.
 
"It was alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorising the observation of training sessions of Oxford United FC, Ipswich Town FC, and Middlesborough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026, and May 2026 respectively.
 
"Tonda Eckert subsequently admitted the charges, and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a six-week suspension from all football and football related activity, which is suspended until the end of the 2027/28 season, a £28,000 fine and a reprimand following a hearing.

"The suspended sanction will come into effect in the event he is found to have committed a breach of Rules or Regulations by requesting, authorising, taking, or using information from any observation of the training of another club, in whatever guise that observation may take."

Statement from Southampton in response:

"Southampton Football Club welcomes the outcome of the FA hearing into the events at the end of last season.

"We hope this now brings a conclusion to a regrettable period of our history and measures have been put in place to ensure that such errors in judgement never happen again at our club.

"We want to take this opportunity to thank the supporters for their unconditional backing throughout this process.

"Our fan base is unmatched, and we are excited to move forward together towards a bright future.

Owner Dragan Solak said: “I’m pleased that the independent panel has come to a decision and that we have an outcome. We have already suffered enough, and we appreciate the panel’s recognition of that.

“We are confident the manager has learned from this matter, and a suspended sentence allows him to continue in his role.

"I firmly believe that Tonda is one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches, and with this distraction removed, I am confident he can lead the team to a successful season.

"I’d like to thank our fans for standing by us and showing the team so much support during a time when we have needed them more than ever.

“The FA process has been a positive experience.

"Tonda has been given the opportunity to be open and honest with the panel, and the panel has been able to see that he is simply a good person who made poor decisions.

"The same cannot be said for the EFL process, and the way they have subsequently treated us is not something we will forget.

"However, now is the time to look forward to what I believe will be a great future for our club.”