The Football Association continues its investigation into Southampton manager Tonda Eckert

The Guardian Sport • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 13, 2026, 7:00 AM

Last updated Sep 13, 2026

The Football Association continues its investigation into Southampton manager Tonda Eckert

Summary

Southampton faces persistent hostility from opposing fans during home matches at St Mary’s Stadium following a spying scandal that surfaced in May. The English Football League previously penalized the club by excluding them from the Championship play-offs and imposing a four-point deduction after staff were caught filming opposition training sessions. While the club admitted to conducting surveillance on Middlesbrough, Oxford United, and Ipswich, the disciplinary process for manager Tonda Eckert remains unresolved. The Football Association has yet to determine if further sanctions will apply to the manager, leaving his professional future in uncertainty. As the season progresses, Southampton continues to deal with the public backlash, highlighted by chants from traveling supporters. The delay in the FA's final ruling keeps the organization and its coaching staff under scrutiny during the current campaign.

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The Guardian Sport

Key Details

•Southampton suffered a four-point deduction and play-off exclusion due to spying on opponents.
•The club admitted to filming training sessions for Middlesbrough, Oxford United, and Ipswich.
•Visiting supporters regularly target Southampton with chants regarding the previous spying scandal.
•The FA has not reached a final decision regarding the conduct of Tonda Eckert.

Latest Updates

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What they're saying

"
Manager Tonda Eckert’s future remains in the balance with the FA yet to decide over a suitable punishment Fifty seconds was all it took for the chant to begin. “You know what you are, you know what you are, cheating bastards, you know what you are,” bellowed the Bristol City fans, starting up a cry heard from every away contingent coming to St Mary’s Stadium this season. The Southampton supporters responded with sarcastic applause, then drowned out the noise with songs of their own. This is what life is now like for Southampton after May’s spying scandal – a saga whose full consequences are still unknown and could have ramifications for the season ahead. The English Football League acted swiftly after photographs emerged of a junior staff member hiding behind a tree to film a Middlesbrough training session, expelling Southampton from the Championship play-offs and deducting four points after the club admitted multiple spying offences, including on Oxford United and Ipswich. The Football Association’s case against Tonda Eckert, the manager, is taking far longer. And patience is wearing thin. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Sam Cunningham at St Mary's Stadium

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