FA set to reveal Tonda Eckert’s fate after Southampton ‘Spygate’ scandal

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert could learn the outcome of the Football Association’s investigation into the club’s controversial “Spygate” scandal as early as today.

The Saints were removed from last season’s Championship play-offs after an independent EFL commission found that the club had admitted to sending staff to watch training sessions belonging to three of their opponents.

The punishment proved costly, denying Southampton a chance to compete for promotion to the Premier League, which would have been worth at least £200million. The club was also handed a four-point deduction for the current campaign.

However, the matter may not be over yet. Eckert was charged by the FA in July in connection with the same incidents and is now awaiting the outcome of that case.

Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons previously urged the FA panel to consider the punishment the club has already received.

“What we hope as a club is they actually recognise where we are at the moment, and what we’ve already been through, because I think it has to be taken into account,” Parsons said.

“I really feel like we’ve taken enough. We’ve been hurt.

“I think it’s one of the largest sanctions ever when it comes to football, or even sporting, history.”

Parsons also highlighted the wider financial impact of the sanctions, including lost Premier League revenue, legal costs and the effect on businesses around Southampton.

“We lose money not being in the Premier League, but local businesses lose money. We had to spend a huge amount on legal fees, and it really impacts the club even further,” he added.

“We don’t want to be seen as a victim of this. We need to get on. We’ve had our cards dealt.”

Eckert has acknowledged that Southampton staff were sent to observe training sessions at Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season before a further incident occurred ahead of the play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough in May.

The Middlesbrough incident brought the operation to light after Boro staff confronted a Southampton intern. Eckert has maintained that he did not realise such activity breached EFL regulations.

The EFL commission concluded that younger members of Southampton’s staff had felt pressure to carry out the assignments, describing the operation as “a contrived and determined plan from top down to gain a competitive advantage”.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this week, Eckert reflected on the punishment Southampton have already received.

“It’s been a big, big punishment. Absolutely unheard of in the history of sports,” he said.

“And it’s tough for me to say that because it concerns me. I’m judging on myself, not an outside situation. But I’ve asked for forgiveness for what I’ve done. I’ve apologised publicly.

“I think the punishment has been very hard on the club for the last season.”