The FA has charged Southampton manager Eckert following the Spygate scandal
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been charged with three counts of breaching FA rules for his part in the Spygate scandal.
Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May after pleading guilty to testing Middlesbrough before their semi-final, which Southampton won 1-0, and before regular season games against Ipswich Town and Oxford United.
In addition to being kicked out of the play-off final against Hull City, Southampton were also stripped of four points this coming season.
The club appealed, claiming the punishment was “manifestly proportionate”. However, that claim was dismissed by an arbitration panel.
Eckert is the key to the Spygate scandal
Eckert was a key player in the game and he showed some emotional distress when discussing it, walking out of the post-match press conference following the second leg against Middlesbrough when he was asked if he was a cheater.
The German, who has overseen Saints’ dramatic rise in form after taking over from Will Still in November, commissioned a probe into what the independent disciplinary commission described as “a structured and dictated system from top to bottom”.
Southampton have decided not to sack him, but the 33-year-old player may face severe punishment, which could include a ban.
The FA’s statement today read: “Tonda Eckert of Southampton FC has been charged with three counts of breaching FA Rule E3.1 of misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026.
“It is alleged that the head coach acted improperly and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorizing the observation of the training sessions of Oxford United FC, Ipswich Town FC and Middlesbrough FC prior to matches between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2022 respectively.
“Tonda Eckert has until Tuesday, July 28, 2026 to provide her answers.”
Eckert apologizes for scrutinizing the opposition
Eckert apologized for his actions in an emotional social media post in June.
Speaking on the group’s social media, he said: “What I will say will not be complete, but I will try to be as honest and clear as possible.”
“I think he deserves that, for everything that happened, I want to apologize, and I raise my hand because as a head coach, I am responsible.
“I am dealing with everything that has happened in this football team, I am dealing with everything that has happened in my coaching staff.
“I apologize to the fans, to everyone who came with us, who supported us in so many games.
“For those who shared their feelings game after game, they were able to bring us to the end of the season.
“We should have played the biggest game of the season, I apologize to the players who did everything they could.
“They have done everything in the last six months to bring this club back to where it belongs.
“I apologize to all the clubs involved, and especially to our fans.”
Southampton owner Solak will stick with Eckert
Eckert will see Southampton fans in pre-season in the coming weeks, although he is unlikely to receive a warm reception, after club owner Dragan Solak said he would be against the 33-year-old.
Speaking to BBC Sport, the Serbian said: “I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him.
“I believe that Tonda did not know that he was breaking the law.
“My personal opinion and the opinion of the board is that he is a manager who should be supported by us and supported by us. Obviously I will seek advice from the team. I will seek advice from the players, from the fans. But yes, if it is ultimately my decision, he stays.”
Solak hopes Eckert will learn from his mistake and it won’t happen again.
He added: “I said to him: ‘You almost broke my heart. You’re doing it again, you’re going to kill me. Next time I see you in July, if you don’t know the EFL rule book by heart, you can’t work for me. Because, we won’t have another mistake.
“I hope he will learn from this and achieve a great career.”
