Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert initiated the practice of spying on opponents, according to new documents from an English Football League arbitration panel. The panel, which rejected the club's appeal against expulsion from the Championship playoffs, revealed that an intern tasked with recording rival training sessions was told the 'manager loved it'.
The first instance of spying occurred before Southampton's Boxing Day fixture against Oxford United, prompted by Eckert. The panel notes that Eckert asked someone to observe Oxford's training session to see their lineup and a player's fitness. An intern was identified for the job, who later said he 'didn't really have an option' and 'wasn't provided an opportunity to say no'. The intern sent updates, photographs, and videos back to the club.
Eckert told a disciplinary commission he was surprised such actions were against the rules. He said he did not watch the footage but had a phone conversation with the intern after the sessions. A WhatsApp message from an analysis team member read: 'Try and make out as much as you can please. You legend. Manager loved it.'
In April, the intern was asked to surveil Ipswich but refused, so an academy analyst recorded footage instead. Eckert claimed he thought the footage was from CCTV by Eastleigh. The third instance involved Middlesbrough, where the intern was caught filming a training session. Eckert said the videos were 'of poor quality' and 'of no benefit'.
Southampton were expelled from the playoffs and given a four-point deduction for next season. The panel found the club gained sporting advantage. The FA's investigation continues. Despite this, owner Dragan Solak has backed Eckert, telling BBC Sport: 'I think he deserves a second chance... My full support would be behind him.' Solak said he believed Eckert 'didn't know that it was the rule that he was breaking'.
