Eckert awaits Spygate verdict after apology

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert is bracing for a decisive FA hearing as he waits to learn the outcome of his ‘Spygate’ charge. BBC Sport reports that the disciplinary process is due in the coming days, following the misconduct charge levelled against the coach in July.

The affair has already hit the club hard. BBC Sport says Southampton lost the chance of promotion to the Premier League — worth £200m — after being expelled from the Championship play-off final. An EFL panel also deducted four points from the club for the current season.

Fallout from the spying scandal

Eckert, 33, publicly apologised in June. As BBC Sport notes, an independent EFL disciplinary commission found he had orchestrated a “contrived and determined plan” to spy on Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough ahead of the play-off semi-final. He had previously insisted he was unaware it breached EFL rules and that it had no impact on performances.

In exclusive comments to BBC Sport, Southampton chief executive Phil Parsons said they still do not know what the FA will decide — a long ban, a short ban or even a suspended sentence. He argued the punishment has already been severe for the club and pointed to the wider financial and legal cost of the situation.

Waiting for a decision

Parsons also denied that Southampton have approached other coaches, despite Eckert being under contract only until the end of the season. He added that the club may appeal if the ruling goes against them, and stressed they cannot worry about what is out of their control right now.