Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been charged with three counts of misconduct by the Football Association following the Spygate scandal. The charges relate to covert observations of Championship training sessions involving Middlesbrough, Ipswich and Oxford last season.
The 33-year-old has until Tuesday to respond to the charges. The FA can impose a range of sanctions from a warning to a fine or suspension. The case has drawn comparisons to the 12-month worldwide ban given to former Canada women's head coach Bev Priestman for using a drone to spy on New Zealand during the Paris Olympics.
Southampton were already punished by the EFL in May, being removed from the playoff final and handed a four-point deduction for the coming season. The EFL referred the individual case to the FA, which has the power to suspend Eckert from football in England. The FA can also request that FIFA extend any ban worldwide, as was done with Sandro Tonali's betting suspension.
Eckert has apologised to fans and acknowledged poor judgment, stating that the spying had no impact on his team's performances. Club owner Dragan Solak has pledged to support Eckert, but a lengthy ban could alter that stance. Analyst William Salt, who filmed the Middlesbrough session, has not been charged.
Southampton confirmed their ongoing cooperation with the FA and their support for Eckert as they prepare for the 2026-27 season with a goal of returning to the Premier League.
