Tonda Eckert initiated Southampton's spying, documents reveal
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 9:16 AM
Last updated Jun 2, 2026
Southampton’s head coach Tonda Eckert has been found to have initiated the practice of spying on rival teams, according to newly released documents. An intern tasked with recording training sessions from teams including Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough noted that the 'manager loved it.' Southampton was expelled from the Championship playoffs last month due to these spying activities and Eckert is now under investigation by the Football Association. The panel's remarks on the club's appeal rejection indicate that Eckert played a central role in these actions.
- •Interns recorded sessions of Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough.
- •Southampton was expelled from the Championship playoffs last month.
- •Eckert is under investigation by the Football Association.
- •Documents support claims that Eckert initiated the spying practice.
- 9:16 AMYahoo Sports — Tonda Eckert finally breaks silence on Southampton spygate scandal
- 6:54 PMThe Guardian Sport — ‘Manager loved it’: Tonda Eckert found to have initiated Southampton’s spying
"Interns were pressured into recording other clubs Head coach says he did not know actions broke rules Southampton’s head coach, Tonda Eckert, initiated the practice of spying on opponents, according to new documents which also show that an intern tasked with recording rival training sessions was assured the “manager loved it”. Southampton were expelled from the Championship playoffs last month after they were found to have spied on Oxford United, Ipswich and Middlesbrough. Eckert is under investigation by the Football Association and newly published remarks from the panel which rejected the club’s appeal against their expulsion lend credence to the belief he was central to the project. Continue reading...
"Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-off final last month for spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, in contravention of EFL rules
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 2, 2026, 9:16 AMTonda Eckert finally breaks silence on Southampton spygate scandal
Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-off final last month for spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, in contravention of EFL rules
- The Guardian SportJun 1, 2026, 6:54 PM‘Manager loved it’: Tonda Eckert found to have initiated Southampton’s spying
Interns were pressured into recording other clubs Head coach says he did not know actions broke rules Southampton’s head coach, Tonda Eckert, initiated the practice of spying on opponents, according to new documents which also show that an intern tasked with recording rival training sessions was assured the “manager loved it”. Southampton were expelled from the Championship playoffs last month after they were found to have spied on Oxford United, Ipswich and Middlesbrough. Eckert is under investigation by the Football Association and newly published remarks from the panel which rejected the club’s appeal against their expulsion lend credence to the belief he was central to the project. Continue reading...
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