Southampton manager Eckert charged over spying scandal

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been charged by the Football Association over the spying scandal that led to his side being kicked out of the Championship play-offs.

In a stunning controversy that rocked English football last season, Southampton admitted spying on a training session held by play-off semi-final opponents Middlesbrough in May.

They also spied on training sessions at fellow Championship clubs Ipswich and Oxford earlier in the season.

After beating Middlesbrough in the semi-finals, Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final against Hull and deducted four points for the 2026-27 season.

Middlesbrough replaced Southampton in the final and were beaten by Hull.

The financial cost to Southampton was huge, with promotion to the Premier League worth an estimated £200 million ($267 million).

An independent disciplinary commission appointed by the Football League ruled that the espionage was authorised by Eckert and was a “contrived and determined plan from the top down”.

The FA subsequently confirmed they were investigating the scandal and on Wednesday English football’s governing body charged Eckert for his role in the spying.

“Tonda Eckert has been charged with three breaches of FA rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026,” the FA said in a statement.

“It’s 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 Middlesbrough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026 respectively.”

Southampton said they would “co-operate fully and openly” with the FA, adding: “The club remains fully supportive of Tonda and his staff as we work towards our ambition of returning to the Premier League.”

The panel found junior staff at Southampton felt “pressurised to do the observations that Eckert and the senior coaches wished them to do”.

Eckert, who has until next Tuesday to respond, accepted responsibility for the spying in a statement in June.

Southampton owner Dragan Solak said at the time he had no intention of sacking Eckert for his behaviour.

Southampton kick off their season with a League Cup first round tie at Colchester on August 8 before their opening Championship fixture at Watford on August 16.

AFP

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