Football Daily - Spygate: Eckert free to continue as Southampton manager

Episode Date: October 7, 2026

John Bennett is joined by BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore and former Reading and Watford winger Jobi McAnuff to react to the Spygate verdict. An FA regulatory commission has handed Southampton boss Tonda Eckert a suspended 6-week ban for his involvement in the Spygate scandal. What reasons were given for this verdict? And is it a fair outcome? With Middlesborough the club to uncover the spying ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final, fan and editor of Fly Me To The Moon fanzine, Robert Nichols, offers what this decision is like from a Boro perspective. TIMECODES: 0'45 How did we get to this point?  2'05 Why is the ban suspended? 4'17 Jobi McAnuff's thoughts 9'12 Has the length of time taken to get this verdict benefitted Eckert?  11'51 What do Southampton fans think of the decision?  15'00 Middlesborough fan Robert Nichols 18'05 How much damage has this done to Southampton's reputation?

This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK. So, quick summer recap? Heat waves, data leaks, AI hacks, folding phones, and a viral spinaily challenged raccoon. Yeah, I think that covers it, right? I'm Thomas Germain. I'm Jess Maddox, and the interface is back from its summer break. New season, new co-host, same deep dives into the tech that's shaping our world and our lives. So before AI wipes out all of humanity, allegedly, join us for the interface.

Listen on BBC.com or wherever you get your podcast. This is the Football Daily podcast with John Bennett. Hello and welcome to this bonus episode of the Football Daily podcast. Tonda Eckert is to stay on as Southampton manager, having been handed a suspended six-week ban for his role in the Spygate scandal. Let's bring in BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore, who follows Southampton Week in week-in, week out, and also from the excellent 72-plus podcast,

the former Redding and what for player, Joby McEnough. So hello to both of you. Adam, this has been a long saga for you, lots of work for you. Feels like we're at the end point now. But before we get into discussing the punishment, remind us how we got to this point. Well, back in May, you remember Southampton, we're about to play Middlesbrough in the playoff semi-final first leg

up at the Riverside on 9th of May. And two days earlier, the story started seeping out that Middlesbrough staff at their training ground had seen a Saints member of staff watching them train and it all grew from there, didn't it? Very quickly by the 8th of May they were being charged by the EFL for their sort of good faith rule, not acting in good faith, and it all suddenly spiraled.

So although they stayed in the competition, I think the EFL would have hoped they would have lost to Middlesbrough over two legs. They didn't. They won the second leg dramatically in extra time. And then, of course, they were expelled. So they were expelled by the EFL from the playoff final. They were then given a minus six point hammering,

which was then mitigated to four. That was the punishment from that side. And then in July, the FAA charged on to Eckert. So the club were punished by the EFL. Eckert, on the 22nd of July, was punished by, or was charged by the FAA with bringing the game into disrepute on three occasions for spying on Oxford, on Ipswich and on Middlesbrough. And that's how we got to where we are.

Today we get this news, a suspended ban rather than a straight ban. Are you surprised? Why do you think that they've got to that point? Well, I've tried my best in the time I've had, to read through the lengthy report that accompanied the decision and announcement this afternoon. But, John, I think they've taken into account everything that has happened to the club already, despite this being a individual manager punishment. I think they've taken into account what's impacted the club with the EFL decisions. I think Tonda Eckert has done very well to, A, ask for forgiveness, B, admit guilt as soon as he had the opportunity. And once he's done that, he's then gone away, educated himself on English football.

He's even sat down with people like Sir Gareth Southgate to talk about the culture of English football. He's read up on the FA handbook, literally. And he has done his best to show contrition and to apologise and to try and ask for some sort of forgiveness so he can get on with doing his job. And I think that's all been taken into account as well as some of the details like he did not ask anybody to go and spy on Ipswich on the day of their game against Saints in April. He was offered some video footage whether he'd like to see it and took the decision he says regrettably to look at it. at it. So he didn't organise a sort of, this wasn't an institutional systemic spying operation. This wasn't drones like the Canadian women's team at the Olympic tournament. This was, that sort of thing, that little

detail makes a difference to the panel, I think, and the commission when judging the severity of the punishment. Yeah, I've been having a read as well, Adam, that long report. And it was interesting that the sections about Tondor Eckhart said it found him to be a particularly impressive witness who's reflected very deeply and seriously on what has happened and his level of contrition was as deep and as meaningful as could reasonably be expected. So, Joby, I've enjoyed the times when you've spoken about this on the 72 plus podcast. I'm fascinated to hear what you think about this because I know there was some strong

views over the last few weeks. I think it was Neil Harris who spoke about wanting the punishment to be very harsh. Do you think Tonda Eckhart has got off lightly here? Very, very lightly. And I've got to be honest, you know, I think in terms of where the commission, I think it's really important also to make that clear. I think the FA were pushing themselves and recommended a ban of about three months. And again, the commission then have to be the ones who come to that conclusion of what the appropriate sanction is. I'm not quite sure how you go from sort of three months or four months, even in terms of the commission, 16 weeks, to absolutely nothing. I know it's suspended, but ultimately he's not going to miss any time on that sideline.

and listen, I absolutely understand that Southampton fans, the players who were involved, other staff at the football club who had no knowledge of what was going on, have been incredibly harshly punished. I felt justly, though, I just do not think they could have gone through to a final and potentially got themselves promoted, having admitted cheating, which is what it is, let's call it as it is, in terms of how we do things in this country and our rules and the regulations and particularly after Bielsa, that rule that was, was, brought in. So I get that, but I still feel ultimately one man was responsible for all of that,

and that was Tonda Eckert. And I think that is why there has obviously been a separate case for him to answer. And I just cannot understand how that commission has come to the conclusion that he won't face any time off that sort of touchline in terms of being the man who leads his football team out. I think particularly when you see what managers get suspended for nowadays. you know, and have to miss games for, you know, real petty stuff. And the fact that they've obviously admitted, you know, on three occasions breaching those rules and then to not now have to serve any length of time at all, it is, I feel it's a real shock and certainly something I didn't see coming.

And you speak to a lot of people in the game, managers, players. Do you think your views will be their views? Most people in football will think he's got off lightly. And how controversial will it be that he's back in the dugout this weekend? this Sunday, massive game against Portsmouth. Well, I'm going to be down there, actually. Again, it's going to be pretty hot as it is, but it's a huge game. Listen, I think in terms of the general mood,

I'm reluctant to speak on many other people's part, but I do know from speaking to managers, as you said, we had Neil Harris on our show recently, and he was very, very strong on it and felt that actually Southampton should have probably dismissed Tondareka in the summer. again something I agreed with I think that would have drawn a line under it I thought it would have shown a bit of contrition

from the club's perspective maybe an understanding that something happened that shouldn't have done and it's not the way things that a really well respected club act they backed him it almost seems as though that action now has been justified the fact that he won't miss any football matches and I just feel again from someone who's played

I've coached I've had an interim period of management I think Kim Helberg at the end of last season and was incredibly honest and open about, you know, the effort and the energy he puts into trying to win a football match. And it's so detailed, John, in this day and age, in terms of the lengths you go to, you know, to try and get that edge, that competitive edge. And that is part and parcel of the game, but there's a fairness to that. You know, when you step over the line, quite clearly as Southampton did, or Tondarekett did, for me, that should have severe repercussions. And I don't think we've seen that with, you know, the sanctions that have been handed down.

Adam, what do you make there of what Jobies had to say in his views? This won't be much of a deterrent, will it, to other managers in the future? And I'm not here to, you know, defend Tonda Eckert. I called strongly on your station, every station I spoke to, that he should have been sacked when it happened once they admitted guilt. Because I thought it was dragging the club through the mire, changing the reputation of a family club. I thought it was embarrassing for the San Amt.

and for English football. So I think he's very lucky. Once the owner, though, who's the chairman, decided he was going to back him and not sack him, you don't have to get on with it, don't you? And it was a gamble by Draghan Sholak, which has now, as you said, Joe, be vindicated.

But there's no doubt. He's very lucky to have not even got, I thought he'd get maybe three or five games per charge, and then maybe it would be a difficult decision for the club. Do we wait for him to come back? Do we move on? Because he's at a contract next summer. So I don't think, I think he's lucky, but I'm pleased that it's all over, if I'm honest.

And it looks like they can move on with everything. And I'm pleased for him on a personal level, because he is a very talented young coach, and he's made some stupid mistakes. And I think he's paid a fairly hefty price, even if it hasn't come in the dugout in the next few weeks. Adam, I just wanted to touch on whether you think the timing and the length and period of time it's taken to actually bring this case to a conclusion is actually benefited. fitted Tondarekert because I think if this had maybe come a little bit sooner, then maybe, you know, the punishment would have been a little bit harsher. I think quite clearly, I like

you, have been trying to read through, you know, some of the information and documentation to see how they actually came to this decision. It does feel very much as though they've almost lumped it all together. So this isn't just a Tondareka issue. Southampton has been punished. Obviously, got kicked out of the playoffs, got the four points off at the start of this. season. So it's almost like a collective position that the inquiry have got to. Yeah, I mean, let's be honest, in my opinion, I think what the EFL did, whether you think it's right or not, was incredibly a massively impactful decision to chuck them out of the playoffs, which affected not only the players, the fans, the club, the money, everything.

We know how huge that was. I think it would be hard for the FA or for this independent commission, by the way, to actually not take any of that into account. How much do you keep slamming a club for what's happened, because even though it's an individual punishment, I think it affects the club, obviously. The timing is really interesting because down here, we've all been moaning about how long it's taking, expecting he'll get a ban. And then I'm thinking, well, we'll get him to the Derby, he's going to get a ban, who's going to be on the touchline, how's the mood going to be at St. Mary's? There's going to be uncertainty. They might appeal. They might have to get rid of him. It could have opened up another can of worms, this decision by the FA.

As it happens, it's completely flipped on its head. And with three days to go until the first Derby of the season, everyone at Salampton gets a huge boost. And everything can calm down. They can look forward and aim for promotion. So, weirdly, what we thought was bad with the timing has turned into good timing possibly. Just want to bring you a little bit of the Southampton statement after this. So they say, we hope this now brings a conclusion to a regrettable period of our history.

And measures have been put in place to ensure that such errors in judgment never happen again. at our club. They say we want to take this opportunity to thank the supporters for their unconditional backing throughout this process. Our fan base is unmatched and we're excited to move forward together towards a bright future. Adam, what are the fans been saying to you today, the Salampton fans? Well, yeah, we just had an hour-long show on it. And the most fans, Saints fans, you know, football supporters aren't stupid. They know their club better than anybody. And they know football very well, better than they sometimes get the credit for. And most of them, think he's got a lenient sentence, even though they're pleased he's staying. So there's

quite a good balance view from supporters. And there were a number who were getting drowned out on social media as the weeks and months went on from May. But there was a large amount of fans who were disgusted at what had happened and they thought he should be sacked. And some of them had their say tonight as well. So I think there's a varied view, but I think the overriding thought is, hopefully this is over now and we can all get on with the football season, rather than have it hanging over them. So I'm sure people in football think it's lenient. I'm sure there are plenty of people in football also

who have benefited from phone calls to players, players to players, chatting about who's fit, who's not all that, where's the cheating line, drawing, where's the spying? What's your levels? Because I know what you're saying, Joe, be about, it's not done in this game, but let's be honest, it is, it has been,

teams watch other teams, teams get information in the ways they shouldn't. We'd be naive to think it doesn't happen. but what hasn't happened here with this ruling is that it hasn't that much put people off trying to do things in the future, has it? Because it hasn't set a precedent for the future which will scare anybody else from doing anything

on the fringe of the law. Let's get the... Go on, Jambi. I've just got to come back on that because I do feel we have to draw the line, you know. Is it as widespread as Adam was saying there in terms of the messages between players and between clubs and between teammates?

Listen, I've got to be honest, you know, from my perspective, as a coach or as a manager, you know, I've always tried to be down the line, down the middle and do things the right way. As I said, listen, everyone trying to get that little edge, you know, you're trying to win a game of football. We know how important that is in this day and age. But this is not just that, Adam, you know, and I've got to push back on that because, you know, there's been a concerted effort here. You know, there's no two ways about it. to go and observe, you know, training sessions to gain information, you know, and whether a player is actually going to be able to participate in the game, you know,

receiving CCTV footage of another team's, I mean, this is multiple occasions that this has happened and the argument that, oh, you know, everybody does it, that doesn't wash from me. I'm very sorry. I think anyone who's been involved in the game. And that is not to say things don't happen if you know a player that's played for a particular a club and you might want to find out if he might be playing himself or but you know I'm not ringing around people saying oh give me the team for next week and now there's almost again at times a little code amongst yourself of like there's a line that you don't cross when it comes to that sort of stuff and again I've played a lot you know abroad so I've gone to central America I've gone to South America

to play and again it might be more culturally acceptable there I know that's what he said you know his defense with other countries that he's worked at but I will tell you now there are a lot of managers here, coaches, players that would push back on that, you know, and say, I personally think on this occasion, there was a big line crossed. It's a number of incidents. Who's to say that was all it was? I know that's all they've been found guilty for. So that's fine. But that's enough for me to say there should have been more of a punishment than there was. I want to get the perspective of a Middlesbrough fan. We're talking to a Middlesbrough supporter because they were the club to uncover the spying in the first place, 48 hours before their championship

playoff fixture against Southampton. So let's speak to Robert Nichols from the Fly Me to the Moon fanzine. He's the editor. So Robert, what are your thoughts on this outcome then? Do you think he's got off lightly here, Tondet Echert?

It definitely has. I'm pretty surprised after all this time. I'm not, I don't hold sort of, I'm not bitter towards Southampton or Tonda, but I feel just as was just said there,

that this is crossing a line in a day and age where data is so important to actually send somebody to hide behind a tree to collect that data. I think this does not send out the right message to football because I think when it went into that playoff final, our manager, Kim Helberg was, I've never seen him like that before. He was just totally sickened. And we didn't give a good account of ourselves.

We had a second chance. But mentally they weren't there because they just never experienced anything like it before. How much anger is there still amongst the Middlesbrough fan base about all this? I think there's still a lot of anger around because it feels as if Southampton are the victims, the feeling is that we've accused them and that we've set them up

and that we gained from it. But we're sort of into very much, we've driven by a chairman who's very much into the sporting ethos and as a club with that, that's what we try to do. And the whole thing around going to, when we went to Southampton for the second leg,

we always had like friendly relations with Southampton as a great sort of family club, etc. We went down there for that second leg. The atmosphere was appalling. It really was the whole thing about it. and the whole experience was quite sickening. And I think it's good that we're moving on

because we don't want a feud. But I am very, very surprised that it hasn't been treated as seriously as I feel it should be. Robert, thank you very much for joining us. We've had some texts in on this subject. David in Salampton says, excellent news about Tonda.

A lengthy ban would have been harsh on us. The fans were all glad. It's been sorted before our game against Pompey this weekend. And Seymour says, the Southampton manager gets away with a suspended ban. Well, West Brom's player was banned for longer for a handball. He's referring to Erna Hegerber's handball a goal earlier this season. It doesn't seem right.

The FA, he says, as usual, don't seem to read the room properly. Adam, final thought from you just quickly. You said it draws the line. Does it really draw the line? I know the damage has been done with the four points, not getting to the playoff final, but how much damage has this done to the reputation of Southampton going forward? Yeah, and I said that before.

I think everybody involved should have been fired back in May because I think it, you know, if you now ask people what they associate with Soundton Football Club, it'll be this. And that's unacceptable in a lot of fans' eyes. And so I think that a lot of damage has been done. This does draw a line under the season, though, with regards to not knowing what's going to go on.

And it has been hanging over us a long time, five months now. So I'm glad personally it's all over. I think the fans will be. And I think there has to be some place in the world when people admit guilt and ask for forgiveness and educate themselves like he's done. I think there has to be some place for them for the response to be on the okay,

learn your lesson rather than hammering him into the ground. So I'm pleased for him on a personal level, like I said. He's a lucky boy, but now Sampton fans will be saying We know where we're going. We've got a squad. We've got our manager. We can focus on trying to get promotion rather than having this cloud

hanging over us for the rest of the season. Adam Blackmore, Joby McEnough, thank you very much. Enjoy the game on Sunday. It's going to be some atmosphere for that game. That is it for this bonus episode of the Football Daily. Thanks for listening.

I'm Steve Bracknell. Assistant Manager of Sunday League powerhouses the Royal Oak FC. And I'm back in changing room at Royal Oak for a new season of Games Gone the podcast that takes you back to the grassroots of the game. With my colleague Paul Sampson

and Bob the Bucky, and this season, we're aiming for promotion to Division D of the Sheffield Sunday Imperial League. Games Gone, the Steve Bracknell podcast. Listen on BBC Sounds. So, quick summer recap? Heat waves, data leaks, AI hacks,

folding phones, and a viral spinally challenged raccoon. Yeah, I think that covers it, right? I'm Thomas Jermaine I'm Jess Maddox And the Interface is back From its summer break New season, new co-host Same deep dives into the tech

That's shaping our world and our lives So before AI wipes out all of humanity Allegedly Join us for the Interface Listen on BBC.com Or wherever you get your podcasts