Fresh WhatsApp messages reveal how Southampton coordinated Championship spying operation

Fresh WhatsApp messages have shed new light on how Southampton allegedly coordinated a spying operation against Championship rivals, with details emerging of pressure placed on junior staff members to gather tactical information ahead of key fixtures.

The revelations form part of the written reasons published by the League Arbitration Panel following Southampton’s failed appeal against their Championship play-off expulsion and four-point deduction for next season. Saints had already admitted to spying on Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough, but the newly released exchanges offer a deeper look into how the operation was allegedly carried out behind the scenes.

According to the report, junior members of staff told the independent commission they felt “under extreme pressure” from head coach Tonda Eckert and senior figures to carry out tasks they were uncomfortable with and believed crossed ethical lines.

One analyst intern, sent to observe Oxford United training before a December clash, reportedly said he “didn’t really have an option” and was simply following instructions as an intern. After feeding back details, photos and videos from the session, the staff member received a WhatsApp response reading: “You legend. Manager loved it.”

The report also claims the same staff member was later pushed to observe Ipswich Town despite expressing concerns, only to be told “the boss is adamant that someone needs to go.”

Southampton’s actions were described by the disciplinary panel as a “contrived and determined plan from the top down” designed to gain a competitive advantage. The commission concluded that tactical observations, including predicted formations and team information, were passed up the chain to Eckert and the coaching staff.

The scandal deepened further after Middlesbrough staff reportedly caught a Southampton analyst observing training ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final in May. Messages included in the findings showed concerns among staff, with one analyst allegedly saying: “I said all along I was never happy about it all & it wasn’t right but no one listened to me!”

Eckert has denied directly viewing footage and insisted the information had no bearing on match preparation, although the panel rejected Southampton’s defence and ruled the integrity of the competition had been seriously compromised.