The English Football Association has imposed a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 fine on Southampton manager Tonda Eckert. He admitted authorising surveillance of three rival clubs’ training sessions last season.
An independent regulatory commission issued the ruling after a hearing. The suspension will remain suspended through the end of the 2027-28 season. The FA said it charged Eckert in July.
Southampton had already been removed from the Championship play-off final and docked four points for the 2026-27 season for monitoring training at Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough. Those penalties applied to the club, while the latest ruling addresses the manager’s role.
Southampton have 10 points from eight matches and sit 13th in the English second tier. Eckert admitted that he authorised the surveillance.