Southampton boss Tonda Eckert discovers his fate as FA hand out Spygate punishment

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has received a suspended six-week football ban and a £28,000 fine from the Football Association for his involvement in a spying scandal. The 33-year-old admitted to directing club staff to spy on training sessions of rivals Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough last season. The suspension is put on hold until the conclusion of the 2027/28 season, allowing Eckert to continue managing the Championship side.

The FA commission described Eckert as an impressive witness who demonstrated genuine remorse following a four-hour hearing. The ruling follows prior penalties by the EFL, which disqualified Southampton from last season's Championship play-off final and imposed a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 campaign. Saints owner Dragan Solak and chief executive Phil Parsons both welcomed the FA verdict while criticizing the EFL's earlier sanctions.