Leeds United were involved in the original ‘spygate’ scandal back when Marcelo Bielsa was in charge. The Argentine coach was found guilty of spying on other teams.
The Whites were fined for that incident, with the EFL later changing the rules.
In the 2026 Championship Play-off finals, Southampton were accused of spying on Middlesbrough. After an initial investigation, the Saints were kicked out of the play-offs and fined after being found guilty.
A club intern employed as a first team analyst was caught spying on Middlesbrough’s training session before the first leg of the semi-final.
That lead to Hull City going to the final, and eventually winning promotion.
Simon Jordan reacts to major sack decision
It has been over a month since the latest spygate incident, and investigations are still ongoing.
Southampton boss Tonda Eckert is awaiting the result of the Football Association’s investigation into the scandal. In the meantime, the German coach is still in charge of the club as pre-season begins.
The Saints have not dismissed him and he is still active in day-to-day operations.
Simon Jordan has been speaking on talkSPORT about the whole situation. His opinion is that Eckert will not be given a hard sanction for his part in the scandal, so keeping his role as Southampton coach is no big deal.
“Where did we get the idea that he’d get a 12-month ban?
“Because the last person who got dealt with was Bielsa, and he only got a formal warning from the FA.
“If the FA want to make headlines for themselves and add value to what they think their reputation is going to be bolstered by, then they will do something ridiculous.”
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What happens next with Tonda Eckert?
Southampton will play their first game of pre-season this weekend.
They will face Eastleigh in a friendly, with Eckert expected to face the media for the first time since the play-offs.
The German has been coordinating pre-season activities in the meantime, even after many thought he would be sacked after the scandal
According to The Guardian, the German has been interviewed by the FA earlier this month. There is no word yet on if his punishment will involve a ban ahead of the new season.
Southampton have already been docked four points ahead of the new campaign.
The club will now have to wait and see if Tonda Eckert will be in the dugout for the first game of the Championship season on 16th August.
The difference being that when Leeds were involved it wasn’t an offence (merely considered “not in the spirit of the game”), it has since become an offence hence the different outcome.