Will Southampton manager Tonda Eckert get banned over the club's Spygate scandal
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert is waiting to learn whether he will be banned by the Football Association over the club’s Spygate scandal . The German coach was charged with misconduct in July after an EFL investigation found that Southampton had arranged spying missions on three Championship clubs.
Southampton have already faced major punishment. The club were removed from the Championship play-off final and missed out on a potential £200m ($267m) promotion boost. They were also handed a four-point deduction for the new season. Now, Eckert could face an individual suspension.
Tonda Eckert and Southampton prepare for another punishmentThe FA hearing is expected to decide Tonda Eckert’s fate in the coming days. The 33-year-old has already apologised for his role in the scandal and continues to receive strong backing from Southampton.
An EFL disciplinary commission previously found that Eckert had orchestrated a “contrived and determined plan” to spy on Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final.
Eckert had maintained that he did not know the actions broke EFL rules. He also said the spying had no impact on Southampton’s performances.
Speaking about the difficult summer, Eckert told BBC, “I would lie if I say that the summer has just been easy. Of course, if you care deeply about your profession, about the football club, there’s nothing that prepares you for that. There just isn’t.”
The manager also revealed that he had spoken to the FA for almost four hours during its investigation.
“I’ve had the chance to sit down and just talk the FA through everything that happened,” he said. “And now it’s up to them to make a decision. I don’t really have any emotions towards that.”
Eckert believes Southampton have already suffered heavily because of the scandal.
“It’s been a big, big punishment. Absolutely unheard of in the history of sports. And it’s tough for me to say that because it concerns me. I’m judging on myself, not an outside situation. But I’ve asked for forgiveness for what I’ve done. I’ve apologised publicly”, he said.
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons has also urged the FA to consider the punishment already imposed on the club, “We don’t know what the FA will actually hand out,” Parsons said. “It could be a long ban. It could be a short ban. It could be a suspended sentence.”
Parsons also confirmed that Southampton could appeal if Eckert receives another punishment.
The club has continued to back the manager despite the controversy. Parsons said Southampton had recruited players during the summer with Eckert remaining in charge.
The club has also given analyst intern Will Salt a permanent academy role. Salt was photographed secretly filming Middlesbrough’s training session before the play-off semi-final. Parsons said Salt had been through a difficult period but described him as a talented young employee.
Southampton’s next league match is against Portsmouth on 11 October. By then, Eckert is expected to know whether the FA will impose an individual ban.
Southampton have already faced major punishment. The club were removed from the Championship play-off final and missed out on a potential £200m ($267m) promotion boost. They were also handed a four-point deduction for the new season. Now, Eckert could face an individual suspension.
Tonda Eckert and Southampton prepare for another punishmentThe FA hearing is expected to decide Tonda Eckert’s fate in the coming days. The 33-year-old has already apologised for his role in the scandal and continues to receive strong backing from Southampton.
An EFL disciplinary commission previously found that Eckert had orchestrated a “contrived and determined plan” to spy on Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final.
Eckert had maintained that he did not know the actions broke EFL rules. He also said the spying had no impact on Southampton’s performances.
Speaking about the difficult summer, Eckert told BBC, “I would lie if I say that the summer has just been easy. Of course, if you care deeply about your profession, about the football club, there’s nothing that prepares you for that. There just isn’t.”
The manager also revealed that he had spoken to the FA for almost four hours during its investigation.
“I’ve had the chance to sit down and just talk the FA through everything that happened,” he said. “And now it’s up to them to make a decision. I don’t really have any emotions towards that.”
Eckert believes Southampton have already suffered heavily because of the scandal.
“It’s been a big, big punishment. Absolutely unheard of in the history of sports. And it’s tough for me to say that because it concerns me. I’m judging on myself, not an outside situation. But I’ve asked for forgiveness for what I’ve done. I’ve apologised publicly”, he said.
Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons has also urged the FA to consider the punishment already imposed on the club, “We don’t know what the FA will actually hand out,” Parsons said. “It could be a long ban. It could be a short ban. It could be a suspended sentence.”
Parsons also confirmed that Southampton could appeal if Eckert receives another punishment.
The club has continued to back the manager despite the controversy. Parsons said Southampton had recruited players during the summer with Eckert remaining in charge.
The club has also given analyst intern Will Salt a permanent academy role. Salt was photographed secretly filming Middlesbrough’s training session before the play-off semi-final. Parsons said Salt had been through a difficult period but described him as a talented young employee.
Southampton’s next league match is against Portsmouth on 11 October. By then, Eckert is expected to know whether the FA will impose an individual ban.
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