Southampton manager handed suspended ban after FA investigation into ‘Spygate’ scandal

Southampton manager handed suspended ban after FA investigation into ‘Spygate’ scandal Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been banned from all football activities for six weeks after a Football Association (FA) investigation into the ‘spygate’ scandal. However, the ban has been suspended until the end of next season. Eckert has also been fined £28,000 and formally reprimanded for observing training sessions of Middlesbrough, Oxford United and Ipswich Town in 2025 and 2026. Southampton were expelled from last season’s Championship play-offs after they were caught spying on Middlesbrough ahead of their meeting . The English Football League (EFL) also docked Southampton four points, which cost them their place in the play-offs and a chance to compete for promotion to the Premier League. The FA’s investigation came after, but the panel found considerable mitigating circumstances and even praised the German manager for showing genuine remorse. Southampton welcomed the verdict, hoping it would end a difficult period in the club’s history. The club also pledged to implement strict measures to make sure it doesn’t happen again. “Southampton Football Club welcomes the outcome of the FA hearing into the events at the end of last season,” their statement read. “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.” During the hearing, Eckert said he wanted to see how Oxford would set up under interim manager Craig Short, who replaced Gary Rowett. He admitted sending someone to observe their training session. On Ipswich, Eckert accepted CCTV footage showing the team training at National League side Eastleigh ahead of their match against Southampton. On Middlesbrough, Eckert told the panel he wanted to know whether Hayden Hackney had returned to training after learning that Boro’s training ground was accessible to the public.