| Saints charged with spying 09:48 - May 9 with 101055 views | KensalT |
Southampton haven't yet denied these allegations!
For anyone who doesn't know Boro caught someone with some very sophisticated cameras and recording equipment spying on one of their training sessions.
Apparently Boro are looking into the possibility that Saints have done this to other teams this season.
Nightmare timing for the EFL. I can't see any way for them to fudge this
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| Saints charged with spying on 10:37 - Jun 2 with 2577 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:13 - Jun 2 by dmm |
If I were a Soton fan, I'd be fuming after listening to those two clips. Both came across as disingenuous and should have simply admitted cheating and apologised profusely. |
I think what they are trying to do is pre-empt the FA investigation which is still ongoing.
If they can convince their own fans that they have already been punished excessively then any further punishment from the FA really will be too much.
They're probably hoping to generate a siege mentality and get their own fans back onside.
It is horribly cynical.
They acknowledge breaking some rules and not helping the investigation process.
What they do not do is:
- Acknowledge systematic and pre-meditated cheating
- Offer any sort of apology to the clubs they have admitted spying on
I'm not sure their fans are buying it.
It will be interesting to know what their sponsors think about it and any blowback there might be for them.
Have they bothered to check if their current players are onside with this. They have their own reputations to think about.
And will players want to sign for them this summer? I suppose money talks but anyone with decent options will probably go elsewhere. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:41 - Jun 2 with 2547 views | TheChef |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:37 - Jun 2 by KensalT |
I think what they are trying to do is pre-empt the FA investigation which is still ongoing.
If they can convince their own fans that they have already been punished excessively then any further punishment from the FA really will be too much.
They're probably hoping to generate a siege mentality and get their own fans back onside.
It is horribly cynical.
They acknowledge breaking some rules and not helping the investigation process.
What they do not do is:
- Acknowledge systematic and pre-meditated cheating
- Offer any sort of apology to the clubs they have admitted spying on
I'm not sure their fans are buying it.
It will be interesting to know what their sponsors think about it and any blowback there might be for them.
Have they bothered to check if their current players are onside with this. They have their own reputations to think about.
And will players want to sign for them this summer? I suppose money talks but anyone with decent options will probably go elsewhere. |
Well quite. Gaslighting fans and players? Let's see how that one plays out. |  |
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| Saints charged with spying on 10:44 - Jun 2 with 2541 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:31 - Jun 2 by daveB |
They think he will get them promoted so they will stick with him. If other clubs come forward or more evidence comes out they look stupid. If not they will probably use it as a siege mentality next season and play the victims which has already started among their fanbase |
Exactly this.
I think they are trying to pre-empt further punishment from the FA.
But Eckert is damaged goods now. They really should get rid and draw a line under it all.
I don't think digging their heels in will help them. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:50 - Jun 2 with 2519 views | Third_Division_South |
Total PR cock up. If they’d admitted straight away that they were guilty and they had sacked Eckert with immediate effect they would have had a chance of staying in the playoffs. By continually doubling down they have painted themselves into a corner. What happens if the FA inquiry puts a ban on Eckert now? | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:53 - Jun 2 with 2506 views | QPunkR |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:12 - Jun 2 by daveB |
But the manager now saying he didn't know it was against the rules.
What a circus |
Despite him doing it at previous clubs |  |
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| Saints charged with spying on 13:23 - Jun 2 with 2314 views | KensalT |
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| Saints charged with spying on 14:25 - Jun 2 with 2223 views | dmm |
Even if Ekert didn't know spying on another club's training is against the rules - which is a big stretch in itself - it is inconceivable that the other coaches and support staff didn't notice what was going on and wouldn't have said something.
Ekert cannot be telling the truth and I hope someone within the club comes out and says so. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:39 - Jun 2 with 2186 views | HAYESBOY |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:23 - Jun 2 by KensalT |
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What a crock of 5hit. |  |
| Smells like a trout farm in here |
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| Saints charged with spying on 15:42 - Jun 2 with 2083 views | Ranger_1969 |
Apparently, the owner is now saying that the intern was at fault for not expressing doubts about the validity of his actions more strongly! And yet the owner continues to back the manager!
Honestly, you couldn't make it up....
Hope the FA and EFL see it for what it is.....and throw the book at them. I'm still struggling to believe that they did not feel the need to spy between December and April.
I'm sure it's just a coincidence - but interesting to note that following the defeat at Oxford. Southampton only lost 2 games all season. Against Middlesbrough and Hull! (i guess it would not have been a good idea to admit to spying in these games - even though they 'gained no advantage') [Post edited 2 Jun 15:43]
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| Saints charged with spying on 15:53 - Jun 2 with 2031 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Saints charged with spying on 15:42 - Jun 2 by Ranger_1969 |
Apparently, the owner is now saying that the intern was at fault for not expressing doubts about the validity of his actions more strongly! And yet the owner continues to back the manager!
Honestly, you couldn't make it up....
Hope the FA and EFL see it for what it is.....and throw the book at them. I'm still struggling to believe that they did not feel the need to spy between December and April.
I'm sure it's just a coincidence - but interesting to note that following the defeat at Oxford. Southampton only lost 2 games all season. Against Middlesbrough and Hull! (i guess it would not have been a good idea to admit to spying in these games - even though they 'gained no advantage') [Post edited 2 Jun 15:43]
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Punishments have been settled now haven't they?
All this is just PR and crisis management. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:01 - Jun 2 with 2002 views | Northernr |
| Saints charged with spying on 15:53 - Jun 2 by BazzaInTheLoft |
Punishments have been settled now haven't they?
All this is just PR and crisis management. |
No there's an FA investigation into the individuals involved, could result in bans. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:16 - Jun 2 with 1956 views | Northernr |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:25 - Jun 2 by dmm |
Even if Ekert didn't know spying on another club's training is against the rules - which is a big stretch in itself - it is inconceivable that the other coaches and support staff didn't notice what was going on and wouldn't have said something.
Ekert cannot be telling the truth and I hope someone within the club comes out and says so. |
Also, by repeating this line that they didn't win any of the games involved, they are inviting every journalist in the country to dig into this and prove that it was more widespread and other opponents were targeted as well. It's totally far fetched that they went and had a look at poxy Oxford on December 21 and then didn't bother again until April.
This post has been edited by an administrator | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:37 - Jun 2 with 1893 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
One of my work colleagues is a big Saints fans and regularly goes on their equivalent of LfW and X etc.
They, the fans, want the coach to stay. WTF. | |
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| Saints charged with spying on 16:41 - Jun 2 with 1888 views | Northernr |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:37 - Jun 2 by Wilkinswatercarrier |
One of my work colleagues is a big Saints fans and regularly goes on their equivalent of LfW and X etc.
They, the fans, want the coach to stay. WTF. |
They've been winning games. Football fans will forgive almost anything if it means they're more likely to win. Don't remember many of us demanding Ilias Chair was removed from the team when he was found guilty of breaking a guy's skull.
Not sure it's feasible this guy stays on though, are the team still going to be with him and behind him in the same way after his actions cost them promotion?
I think it'll be a moot point anyway I think the FA will give him like a 6 month ban with three of it suspended or something which will mean he can't stay on anyway. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:45 - Jun 2 with 1876 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:25 - Jun 2 by dmm |
Even if Ekert didn't know spying on another club's training is against the rules - which is a big stretch in itself - it is inconceivable that the other coaches and support staff didn't notice what was going on and wouldn't have said something.
Ekert cannot be telling the truth and I hope someone within the club comes out and says so. |
If you read this, people clearly DID say it wasn't right/allowed
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 17:16 - Jun 2 with 1830 views | bosh67 |
I'm confused, generally in life, but in this case by the fact that it appears the owner is keeping the manager on to give him a 'second chance' but the manager could still face a lengthy ban for what he did? |  |
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| Saints charged with spying on 17:21 - Jun 2 with 1818 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:37 - Jun 2 by Wilkinswatercarrier |
One of my work colleagues is a big Saints fans and regularly goes on their equivalent of LfW and X etc.
They, the fans, want the coach to stay. WTF. |
I've seen mixed reactions from Saints fans on Twitter.
There are some who still believe they have been robbed. But there are plenty who want a thorough cleanout so that they can move on from this mess. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 17:24 - Jun 2 with 1812 views | ted_hendrix |
He cheated, what else needs to be discussed? he should be punished for crying out loud. |  |
| My Father had a profound influence on me, he was a lunatic. |
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| Saints charged with spying on 17:25 - Jun 2 with 1806 views | ed_83 |
Yeah when you look at the facts of the case it becomes completely impossible to sustain the idea that Eckert didn't know, and wasn't told, that it was against the rules.
Multiple people raised the fact they weren't happy with it, Eckert watched the footage, which clearly would have shown it was recorded covertly, the fact they bought disguises... it's completely absurd that they're trying to keep this line going that it was all an innocent mistake.
In a weird way the idea they only did it three times is even more damning: if they genuinely thought it was above board, why weren't they doing it proudly for every single game?
Whole thing stinks, really hope the FA absolutely throw the book at Eckert, and all of the coaches involved. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 17:56 - Jun 2 with 1736 views | derbyhoop |
I'm expecting Eckert to get a lengthy ban from all football. |  |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
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| Saints charged with spying on 19:47 - Jun 2 with 1593 views | Northernr |
| Saints charged with spying on 17:56 - Jun 2 by derbyhoop |
I'm expecting Eckert to get a lengthy ban from all football. |
It's a fcking mad press strategy they've gone for here. By backing him publicly you've now missed the chance to throw a sacrificial idiot under the bus. If he does get a long ban, where do you go? Caretaker manager? Try and bring a new guy in late in the summer?
And if the report is damning you've got no distance now. You're all in it together. Sporting director might have to go as well.
Gary Weaver, sometime approaching 11am, opening day: "This team in turmoil emerges from its tunnel, blinking into the light after a summer under water, these Saints by the Solent have been to hell and back, and now with Lilywhite foes in their way, and legends Francis Benali and Matt Le Tissier cast together again in saviour status, they dare to dream once more. Southampton v Preston North End is live after this." | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 21:58 - Jun 2 with 1409 views | numptydumpty |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:23 - Jun 2 by KensalT |
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Hung out to dry !!!
Clearly most in the club were in on this.
This video makes this worse. A prepared club statement read out in staccato fashion by the man reading from the autocue, trying to clear his name, whilst sitting in on his death row fate. Framed, quite literally.
I expect Eckert to literally have the book thrown at him, but the club should be punished more undoubtedly.
This video apology is a poorly thought out effort at damage limitation. It could not be more obvious.
Think Southampton will be everyones knocking boys next season. Hope rhey end up getting relegated. Even now, they are still displaying extreme arrogance. And the true facts were, in reality, they really did not need to do this idiotic nonsense.
Saints no more.... [Post edited 2 Jun 22:00]
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| Saints charged with spying on 13:43 - Jun 3 with 1117 views | Match82 |
Still, for 23 other teams in the championship it's nice that they are giving us the entire summer to come up with 90 minutes worth of material for songs |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 18:02 - Jun 3 with 976 views | Harbour |
| Saints charged with spying on 17:21 - Jun 2 by KensalT |
I've seen mixed reactions from Saints fans on Twitter.
There are some who still believe they have been robbed. But there are plenty who want a thorough cleanout so that they can move on from this mess. |
I think Sports Republic who have 80% ownership of the club are not that popular with the fans and the way this situation is being handled will I am sure alienate the fans even more..shocking handling | | | |
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