FA charges Southampton manager Tonda Eckert over 'spygate'

[p]The three charges relate to the story that broke back in May after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/middlesbrough/6F0lvLNC/"]Middlesbrough[/a] caught a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/southampton/WdKOwxDM/"]Southampton[/a] intern filming their training session ahead of the teams' play-off semi-final, which would finish 0-0.[/p][p]The Saints would beat Boro after extra time in the second leg, but were then kicked out of the play-off final by the English Football League (EFL). Middlesbrough were reinstated, but were beaten 1-0 by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hull-city/S66R0t75/"]Hull City[/a] at Wembley.[/p][p]In a video posted to social media during the summer, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/eckert-takes-responsibility-for-spygate-scandal-as-southampton-back-coach/nDWWhW2B/"]Eckert also took responsibility[/a] for other filming sessions against Oxford United and Ipswich Town. The Saints did not win any of these games.[/p][p][i][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/news/soccer-championship-spygate-explained-what-is-the-cheating-scandal-involving-southampton-in-the-playoffs/hITN9c4C/"]'Spygate' explained - catch up with the scandal now.[/a][/b][/i][/p][p]In a statement, the FA said: "Southampton FC’s Tonda Eckert has been charged with three breaches of FA Rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026. 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 [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/oxford-utd/vgOBT43c/"]Oxford United FC[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ipswich/thqhB2MB/"]Ipswich Town FC[/a] and Middlesbrough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026 respectively.[/p][p]"Tonda Eckert has until Tuesday 28 July 2026 to provide his responses."[/p][embed guid="21d93879-33f1-4112-878c-08ba0603ecdf" url="https://x.com/FAspokesperson/status/2079876666973712512" social-type="twitter" /][p]Despite calls for him to be sacked, the German coach was given the backing of the club and returned for pre-season during the summer.[/p][p]Southampton also released a statement, saying: "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.[/p][p]"Tonda and the club will continue to cooperate fully and openly with The FA.[/p][p]"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."[/p][p]Southampton begin their season on August 8th against Colchester United in the EFL Cup before their first league game eight days later against Watford.[/p][infobox id="79bb87c6-d26e-46c2-b1ec-7eec56479c0a" /]