# Eckert’s Spygate Ban Lenient But No Manager Will Repeat

> Southampton manager Tonda Eckert gets six-week suspended ban for Spygate but no coach will risk espionage again.
- Title: Eckert’s Spygate Ban Lenient But No Manager Will Repeat
- Summary: Southampton manager Tonda Eckert gets six-week suspended ban for Spygate but no coach will risk espionage again. Southampton manager Tonda Eckert received a…
- Keywords: tonda eckert, southampton, spygate, championship, european football, football league, middlesbrough, william salt, spy, sports, Eckert, Ban
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/07/southampton-spygate-tonda-eckert-suspended-ban
- Published: 2026-10-07T20:00:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: tonda eckert, southampton, spygate, championship, european football, football league, fa, middlesbrough, william salt, spy, sports
## Spygate Scandal Unfolds
Southampton manager Tonda Eckert authorized spying on opponents during playoff semi-final against Middlesbrough.

> h i tonda, are you a cheat?
## EFL Expels Southampton
Southampton was expelled from playoff final after winning against Middlesbrough in two legs.

> the governing body also decreed the saints would begin the current championship season on minus four points
## Eckert’s Ban Details
Eckert received six-week suspended ban until end of 2027-28 season, £28,000 fine, and reprimand.

> a six-week ban suspended until the end of the 2027-28 season
## Spying Incident Details
William Salt, Southampton analyst, filmed Middlesbrough training session on iPhone near Darlington.

> salt was caught lurking awkwardly beside a tree while filming a middlesbrough training session on his iphone
## Eckert’s Apology and Delay
Eckert issued public apology in June but FA charged him only in late July.

> the 33-year-old german issued a public apology in june but was not charged with misconduct by the fa until late july
## Eckert’s Background
Eckert began career as Germany national team analyst before coaching at multiple clubs.

> eckert, who began his career as a germany national team analyst before moving into coaching at cologne, rb salzburg, rb leipzig, bayern munich, barnsley and genoa
## Eckert’s Current Support
Southampton board supports Eckert despite player backlash over Spygate.

> southampton supplied the manager with protection while police advised him that driving his own car was unsafe
## Eckert’s Recent Performance
Southampton won four and drew two of their opening eight Championship games.

> southampton have won four and drawn two of their opening eight championship games
## What Happens Next
Southampton faces Portsmouth in next match after Spygate ban.

> next up on sunday is the visit of portsmouth
## Key takeaway

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert received a six-week suspended ban for spying on opponents during playoff semi-final but no manager will attempt the same tactic again.