Southampton boss Tonda Eckert facing potential FA ban after ‘Spygate’ scandal

Football
22 May 2026 • 3:01 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Southampton boss Tonda Eckert facing potential FA ban after ‘Spygate’ scandal

  • Southampton manager Tonda Eckert could face a lengthy ban from football if the Football Association finds he brought the game into disrepute.
  • It comes after Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
  • The club admitted to filming Middlesbrough's training and was also found guilty of similar incidents involving Oxford United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season.
  • As a result, Southampton will also face a four-point deduction at the start of next season in England's second tier.
  • Middlesbrough were reinstated to the play-off final and will now face Hull City.

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