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Tonda Eckert, the Southampton head coach, faces a touchline ban of up to six months after he was charged for his role in the “spygate” scandal.
In a move that could trigger the termination of his contract over misconduct claims, Eckert has been charged with three breaches of FA rule E3.1.
The club were thrown out of the Championship play-offs in May after they admitted to spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
Southampton were also hit with a four-point penalty deduction for the upcoming season.
The FA said: “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.
“Tonda Eckert has until Tuesday 28 July 2026 to provide his responses.”
Southampton apologised after it was revealed that, as well as Middlesbrough, they also spied on Ipswich and Oxford, but the Saints insisted their play-off final ban was “manifestly disproportionate”.
Middlesbrough eventually lost the final to Hull City after they were reinstated.
A Southampton statement read: “Southampton Football Club and first team head coach Tonda Eckert acknowledge today’s charges from the FA relating to a breach of rule E3.1.
“Tonda and the club will continue to cooperate fully and openly with the FA.
“Our focus remains on preparations for the 2026-27 Championship season. The club remains fully supportive of Tonda and his staff as we work towards our ambition of returning to the Premier League.
“We are unable to comment further while the process remains ongoing, but we will provide an update to supporters as soon as we are in a position to do so.”
More to follow...
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