Spygate: Southampton manager Tonda Eckert given suspended ban

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert can stay in the job after football authorities imposed a suspended ban for his part in the Spygate case. He was also fined £28,000 and reprimanded.

Eckert arranged for Oxford to be watched to find out whether the team used a back four or back five under its new manager. He apologised in June, saying he did not know the practice was prohibited and that it had not affected his side’s performances.

The Football Association charged Eckert with misconduct, and a hearing was held late last month. The club said it hoped the ruling would close a difficult chapter and that safeguards had been introduced to prevent similar mistakes.

Owner Dragan Solak said Southampton had already faced enough consequences and expressed confidence Eckert had learned from the episode. He described the FA process positively but said the club would remember its treatment by the English Football League.

Eckert became Southampton’s permanent manager in December 2025 after taking charge on an interim basis while the team stood 21st in the Championship. Southampton ended the season fourth. Earlier cases include a warning for Leeds over spying in 2019 and a year-long FIFA ban for Canada coach Bev Priestman in 2024.