CEO Parsons hails Saints fans' loyalty after Spygate

Southampton CEO Phil Parsons has praised the club's supporters after the tumultuous events following the Spygate scandal. A decisive Football Association hearing is set to take place this week after Saints head coach Tonda Eckert was charged with misconduct in July. Saints admitted spying on three clubs during the 2025-2026 season, leading to their expulsion from the Championship play-off final. An EFL panel also docked the club four points for this season. Both the club and Eckert have apologised. "Its been a tough summer, lets not pretend this has been an easy situation to get through," Parsons told BBC Sport. "Not just for us, this is the fans coming together, this the community around Southampton, how businesses are impacted. "You start going into 'how will season tickets go?' We've got incredibly loyal fans and they've come back in huge numbers and supported us." Southampton reported in July that more than 15,000 supporters had renewed their season tickets for the 2026-2027 season. Chief revenue officer Greg Baker said at the time: "The response has been fantastic and it's a real reflection of the passion and loyalty of our fanbase." The average attendance for their opening four Championship matches at St Mary's this season is 28,945, an increase on the 28,444 across the 2025-26 campaign. 'I've asked for forgiveness' - Eckert and Southampton braced for Spygate verdict 'It's been really heavy' - Southampton CEO on Spygate punishments Parkinson on Spygate video after 'amazing' Saints win 'Dragan's commitment is higher than ever' Owner Dragan Solak has publicly backed head coach Tonda Eckert [Getty Images] Southampton owner Dragan Solak backed his manager publicly in the summer, insisting he won't sack Eckert , and saying "he deserves a second chance". Parsons says Solak's commitment to the club will not be affected by the outcome of the FA hearing. "Dragan talks to everybody very regularly", Parsons added. "He loves the club. He really wants to take it forward in the right way. "We've got some really interesting projects around the club longer term. It's not just a one-year piece. "The football is always about wanting to get back to the Premier League. You want to compete as quickly as possible, and financially that is quite draining on a club. "I think Dragan's commitment is higher than ever, but I think that's a question for him." Southampton were hovering three points above the relegation places when Eckert took over following the sacking of previous boss Will Still in November 2025. The German subsequently led them to the play-offs, and they have already started well in the new campaign. Saints have won four of their opening eight matches in 2026 as well as securing two draws, earning them 14 points as they enter the international break in 13th. As the club awaits the results of any potential FA sanctions on Eckert following the hearing, how would Parsons rate the historic nature of any similar success this season if it happened? "We're not comparing it to other seasons or comparing it to what's happened in the past," he said. "If we can pull off a good season, that's just what everyone is looking for and to put everything behind us, because its been a difficult period." Latest Southampton news and analysis