# Southampton Coach Tonda Eckert Gets Clarity After FA Ban

> Southampton coach Tonda Eckert welcomes FA ban suspension after Spygate scandal.
- Title: Southampton Coach Tonda Eckert Gets Clarity After FA Ban
- Summary: Southampton coach Tonda Eckert welcomes FA ban suspension after Spygate scandal. Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert received a six-week suspended ban and…
- Keywords: southampton, tonda eckert, fa ban, spygate scandal, championship, portsmouth, promotion, premier league, sports, Coach, Tonda, Eckert
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/football/news/12040/13596516/spygate-southampton-boss-tonda-eckert-welcomes-clarity-after-suspended-fa-ban-over-scandal
- Published: 2026-10-08T15:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: southampton, tonda eckert, fa ban, spygate scandal, championship, portsmouth, promotion, premier league, sports
## Southampton coach Tonda Eckert
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert says the Spygate saga changed his life after being handed a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine.

> It's tough. It changes your life
## Suspended FA ban details
Eckert received a six-week ban suspended until the end of the 2027/28 season and a £28,000 fine after admitting three FA charges.
## Clarity after uncertainty
Eckert says the FA process conclusion brought relief after more than four months of uncertainty and praised the Southampton board for standing by him.

> It's been more than four months now, it's been quite a long time
## Next game focus
Eckert will continue as Southampton boss for Sunday's Championship clash with Portsmouth and is focused on promotion to Premier League.
## Eckert's apology
Eckert admitted he made a mistake and accepted responsibility for his actions during the Spygate scandal.

> I've made a mistake and I've said that relatively quickly
## Middlesbrough response
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg said he talked to Eckert after the incident and apologized for the Spygate scandal.

> I talked to Tonda [Eckert] since that day. He called me, talked to me and apologised for those things
## Promotion target
Eckert insists Southampton's goal remains promotion to the Premier League despite a strong league and condensed schedule.

> It's our goal
## Clarity for the club
Eckert says the clarity from the FA ban allows Southampton to focus on their promotion challenge without uncertainty.

> That is gone now, so we make sure we put our foot on the gas on Sunday
## Next steps
Southampton will play Portsmouth in the Championship on Sunday with Eckert focused on promotion to Premier League.
## Key takeaway

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert received a six-week suspended ban and £28,000 fine for Spygate but remains focused on promotion to Premier League.