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Southampton boss Eckert charged by FA over Spygate

By Nile Post Editor | Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Southampton boss Eckert charged by FA over Spygate
Tonda Eckert's job at Southampton appears safe for now at least
Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May after admitting they spied on three clubs during the campaign.

BBC Sport - Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for his role in the Spygate scandal.

Saints were kicked out of the Championship play-offs in May after admitting they spied on three clubs during the campaign.

An independent disciplinary commission ruled at the time that the espionage was authorised by Eckert and was a "contrived and determined plan from the top down".

Since then the club has been the subject of an investigation by the FA, looking into who participated in the spying and assessing the culpability of those who knew it was happening.

The FA said Eckert "has been charged with three breaches of FA rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026".

It added: "It's alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorising the observation of training sessions of Oxford United FC, Ipswich Town FC and Middlesbrough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026 respectively."

Eckert has until next Tuesday to respond.

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