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Southampton Football Club manager Tonda Eckert has been charged by the Football Association over the training ground spying scandal that resulted in the club’s expulsion from last season’s Championship play-offs.
The FA announced on Wednesday that Eckert faces three charges of misconduct under Rule E3.1 over allegations that he authorised the observation of training sessions held by Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before matches against Southampton between December 2025 and May 2026.
According to the governing body, Eckert allegedly acted improperly and brought the game into disrepute by directing or approving the surveillance of the rival clubs’ training sessions.
“Tonda Eckert has been charged with three breaches of FA rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026,” the FA said in a statement.
“It’s alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorising the observation of training sessions of Oxford United FC, Ipswich Town FC and Middlesbrough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026 respectively.”
The scandal came to light in May after Southampton admitted spying on Middlesbrough’s preparations ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final. The club later acknowledged carrying out similar surveillance on Ipswich Town and Oxford United earlier in the season.
Although Southampton defeated Middlesbrough in the semi-finals, they were subsequently expelled from the Championship play-off final, where Hull City went on to beat Middlesbrough after replacing Southampton.
The club was also handed a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 Championship season.
The sanctions dealt a significant financial blow to Southampton, with promotion to the Premier League estimated to be worth around £200 million.
An independent disciplinary commission previously concluded that the spying operation was authorised by Eckert and described it as a deliberate plan directed from senior management. The panel also found that junior staff felt pressured into carrying out the surveillance.
Southampton said it would cooperate fully with the FA investigation while reaffirming its support for Eckert and his coaching staff as the club pursues promotion back to the Premier League.
Eckert, who has until next Tuesday to respond to the charges, accepted responsibility for the spying in a statement issued in June.
Despite the controversy, Southampton owner Dragan Solak has previously indicated he has no plans to dismiss the manager.
Southampton begin their new campaign with a League Cup first-round tie against Colchester on August 8 before opening their Championship season away to Watford on August 16.
