Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert initiated the practice of spying on opponents, according to newly published documents from an English Football League arbitration panel. The panel's written reasons, which rejected Southampton's appeal against expulsion from the Championship playoffs, reveal that the first instance of spying occurred before a Boxing Day fixture against Oxford United, prompted by Eckert himself.
An intern tasked with recording rival training sessions was assured by a member of the analysis team via WhatsApp: 'Try and make out as much as you can please. You legend. Manager loved it.' The intern stated in written evidence that he 'didn't really have an option' and 'wasn't provided an opportunity to say no'. Eckert told a disciplinary commission he had been surprised to find such actions were against the rules.
Southampton were expelled from the playoffs last month after being found to have spied on Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough. The panel found the club gained sporting advantage from their spying, noting 'sporting advantage is different from sporting success'. The FA's investigation is continuing.
Despite the scandal, Southampton owner Dragan Solak has publicly backed Eckert, telling BBC Sport: 'I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My full support would be behind him actually, because I think he's a super-talented manager.' Solak added that he believed Eckert 'didn't know that it was the rule that he was breaking' and has instructed him to learn the EFL rulebook by heart.
Southampton accepted the panel's findings, stating they had made 'an error of judgement for which we take responsibility'. The club also noted that they were judged 'against the very highest standards of integrity and good faith'.
