SOUTHAMPTON: The Football Association (FA) announced a six-week suspended ban for Southampton manager Tonda Eckert on Wednesday over his role in spying on three Championship opponents.
An independent regulatory commission also fined Eckert £28,000 and reprimanded him after he admitted three misconduct charges.
His suspension covers all football and football-related activity. However, the ban remains suspended until the end of the 2027-28 season, allowing him to continue managing Southampton.
It would take effect if he is found to have committed another rules breach involving requesting, authorising, taking or using information from observing another club’s training.
The case concerned surveillance of Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough training sessions during the 2025-26 season.
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Earlier, an English Football League (EFL) disciplinary commission found that Eckert had specifically authorised spying on three occasions.
Southampton lost their place in the Championship play-off final and began this season with a four-point deduction. Because the EFL could not sanction individuals in this case, the FA handled Eckert’s misconduct proceedings.
Although Eckert admitted commissioning the surveillance, he denied using the material. He acknowledged that the information sought was sensitive and something opponents wanted to keep private.
Meanwhile, the FA panel considered his remorse a substantial mitigating factor. Southampton welcomed the decision and said they had introduced measures to prevent a repeat.
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Club owner Dragan Solak backed Eckert’s continued employment. “We have already suffered enough,” Solak said.
Southampton sit 13th after eight league matches. Eckert remains free to lead them in Sunday’s home derby against Portsmouth.
