Eckert says Spygate changed his life after FA sanction

Tonda Eckert remains Southampton’s coach after the Football Association imposed the suspended sanction, according to Dutch news agency ANP. The 33-year-old German was charged in July and later acknowledged the allegations. [1]

Southampton was disqualified in May from the final of the play-offs for promotion to the Premier League after it emerged that a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough had been watched secretly. ANP also reported earlier spying involving Ipswich Town and Oxford United. [1]

Southampton welcomed the outcome, saying it hoped the decision would close a regrettable period in the club’s history. It also said it had taken measures to prevent similar lapses of judgement. [1]

Update

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has said the Spygate case changed his life, speaking to the media for the first time since receiving a Football Association sanction. “It’s tough. It changes your life. If I would say it’s been all easy, it’s not,” he said, according to BBC Sport. [2]

BBC Sport reported that Eckert received a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine. He said he does not usually share much of his private life, but being able to draw a line under the matter made a difference to him and to people close to him.

The FA had not confirmed whether it would appeal the independent commission’s ruling when BBC Sport reported his comments on Thursday, 8 October. [2]