| Saints charged with spying 09:48 - May 9 with 115628 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 10:24 - Sep 21 with 1627 views | E17hoop |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:11 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
I like Gab, but when did he join the Southampton payroll?
And who are these 'celebrated managers' who he is suggesting spied on other teams?
We all know Bielsa did it, but who are the others?
If the FA follows the FIFA precedent in the Canada case where the coaches got 1 year bans, then Eckert should get similar treatment.
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Junior members of staff at the Saints recently told an independent disciplinary commission that head coach Tonda Eckert put them "under extreme pressure" to secretly spy on other sides.
The club has been punished, but he's still there, still being paid, and seems to have been central to it. Throw the book at him. |  |
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| Saints charged with spying on 10:33 - Sep 21 with 1525 views | stevec |
| Saints charged with spying on 10:24 - Sep 21 by E17hoop |
Junior members of staff at the Saints recently told an independent disciplinary commission that head coach Tonda Eckert put them "under extreme pressure" to secretly spy on other sides.
The club has been punished, but he's still there, still being paid, and seems to have been central to it. Throw the book at him. |
Nah, let him remain there and watch them unravel. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 11:32 - Sep 21 with 1368 views | dmm |
In my view, Eckert should be banned from managing in the EFL for the rest of the season, perhaps even for life. There will be many who knew about what he was doing at Soton and the club should be further penalised. The EFL should act in the strongest possible way to deter any other club from acting in similar ways.
Soton have moaned about how not getting promotion has affected them badly. However, they were quite happy to cheat their way to the PL and potentially stop another club from achieving promotion legally and fairly. To my mind they are quite despicable. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 11:40 - Sep 21 with 1327 views | kensalriser |
The Trumpian hyperbole about their punishment already being the WORST, BY FAR, than any punishment handed out in the history of sport EVER!! isn't really helping them.
Gab Sutton's failed to read the room there. |  |
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| Saints charged with spying on 11:59 - Sep 21 with 1225 views | nick_hammersmith |
| Saints charged with spying on 11:40 - Sep 21 by kensalriser |
The Trumpian hyperbole about their punishment already being the WORST, BY FAR, than any punishment handed out in the history of sport EVER!! isn't really helping them.
Gab Sutton's failed to read the room there. |
Aren't QPR still paying for their record fine when we got caught cheating?
I mean it was pretty obvious we broke all the financial rules, but even now our punishment was much more severe than Chelsea, Man City or even Leicester subsequently |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:02 - Sep 21 with 1203 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 11:32 - Sep 21 by dmm |
In my view, Eckert should be banned from managing in the EFL for the rest of the season, perhaps even for life. There will be many who knew about what he was doing at Soton and the club should be further penalised. The EFL should act in the strongest possible way to deter any other club from acting in similar ways.
Soton have moaned about how not getting promotion has affected them badly. However, they were quite happy to cheat their way to the PL and potentially stop another club from achieving promotion legally and fairly. To my mind they are quite despicable. |
It's his livelihood. You can't ban someone for life unless they've done something particularly heinous.
Leaning on junior staff to spy on opponents probably doesn't cross that threshold.
But this angle about pressuring junior colleagues has been overlooked. As far as I'm aware Southampton haven't investigated Eckert's conduct or levied any punishment on him for it.
Maybe they're waiting to see how the FA investigation pans out before they decide whether to back their man or throw him to the wolves. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:10 - Sep 21 with 1173 views | dmm |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:02 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
It's his livelihood. You can't ban someone for life unless they've done something particularly heinous.
Leaning on junior staff to spy on opponents probably doesn't cross that threshold.
But this angle about pressuring junior colleagues has been overlooked. As far as I'm aware Southampton haven't investigated Eckert's conduct or levied any punishment on him for it.
Maybe they're waiting to see how the FA investigation pans out before they decide whether to back their man or throw him to the wolves. |
I understand your point though I was suggesting an EFL ban for life, not from football per se. If the ruling goes against him badly and he's sacked, I can't see many, if any, EFL clubs being prepared to give him a job. He'd have to return to Germany, where, according to him, spying on your opponents is acceptable. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:15 - Sep 21 with 1137 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 11:40 - Sep 21 by kensalriser |
The Trumpian hyperbole about their punishment already being the WORST, BY FAR, than any punishment handed out in the history of sport EVER!! isn't really helping them.
Gab Sutton's failed to read the room there. |
Agree.
Gab's entitled to his opinion, but if he wants to say Southampton has been punished enough then he can say that in one line.
He doesn't need to come out with guff like:
"If he could take back what he did, he would."
"It's something some of the most celebrated managers in world football have done" - I'd like him to name names for that one, if he really believes it!
"At some point you have to draw a line under the saga and trust people: to learn from the experience, and to grow to become better in the future." - That doesn't absolve them from punishment. A lengthy ban would give Eckert plenty of time to reflect on his actions.
If Eckert wants forgiveness he can talk to his priest.
Gab risks damaging his credibility by putting his name to this nonsense. | | | |
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| Saints charged with spying on 12:20 - Sep 21 with 1117 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:10 - Sep 21 by dmm |
I understand your point though I was suggesting an EFL ban for life, not from football per se. If the ruling goes against him badly and he's sacked, I can't see many, if any, EFL clubs being prepared to give him a job. He'd have to return to Germany, where, according to him, spying on your opponents is acceptable. |
No court would uphold it on appeal. It would almost certainly be deemed excessive.
Besides, this is an FA enquiry. How could they ban him from one English division and not all the others!?
And what would happen in future if he got a League 1 team promoted to the Championship?
It wouldn't work in practice to ban him from one division for life. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:27 - Sep 21 with 1071 views | francisbowles |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:20 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
No court would uphold it on appeal. It would almost certainly be deemed excessive.
Besides, this is an FA enquiry. How could they ban him from one English division and not all the others!?
And what would happen in future if he got a League 1 team promoted to the Championship?
It wouldn't work in practice to ban him from one division for life. |
I'd be content if he got a short ban from all football, say three to six months, provided that others above him at the club, as well as, senior coaching staff are also held to account.
I'd start with that happy smiling chairman who still seems to think the punishment was excessive. It wasn't. You were lucky it was only four points. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:35 - Sep 21 with 1026 views | dmm |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:20 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
No court would uphold it on appeal. It would almost certainly be deemed excessive.
Besides, this is an FA enquiry. How could they ban him from one English division and not all the others!?
And what would happen in future if he got a League 1 team promoted to the Championship?
It wouldn't work in practice to ban him from one division for life. |
The EFL includes leagues 1 and 2 plus the Carabao cup, and not only the Championship. I think it would be perfectly possible to ban him from all EFL competitions.
I suggested the EFL because Soton were in the Championship at the time of the offence. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:43 - Sep 21 with 1003 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:27 - Sep 21 by francisbowles |
I'd be content if he got a short ban from all football, say three to six months, provided that others above him at the club, as well as, senior coaching staff are also held to account.
I'd start with that happy smiling chairman who still seems to think the punishment was excessive. It wasn't. You were lucky it was only four points. |
Apart from Bielsa the most high profile spying case in football was the Canada Ladies team at the 2024 Olympics, when they flew a drone over an opponent's training session.
In that case Canada were deducted six points in their group, and the team coach and two team officials were banned for one year.
The judgement was passed down by FIFA. Our FA are members of FIFA so it would be a bit odd if the FA didn't at least consider that case in their judgement.
One further point to note. When the Canadians were caught their coach voluntarily withdrew from coaching duties and the CSA quickly suspended the officials involved - not something Southampton has done at any time.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ol
This really should have been dealt with before the season started. That way a one year ban could have been imposed without running into the following European seasons. But a ban until the end of the season should certainly be an option. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:06 - Sep 21 with 918 views | Ned_Kennedys |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:15 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
Agree.
Gab's entitled to his opinion, but if he wants to say Southampton has been punished enough then he can say that in one line.
He doesn't need to come out with guff like:
"If he could take back what he did, he would."
"It's something some of the most celebrated managers in world football have done" - I'd like him to name names for that one, if he really believes it!
"At some point you have to draw a line under the saga and trust people: to learn from the experience, and to grow to become better in the future." - That doesn't absolve them from punishment. A lengthy ban would give Eckert plenty of time to reflect on his actions.
If Eckert wants forgiveness he can talk to his priest.
Gab risks damaging his credibility by putting his name to this nonsense. |
The article is just a puff piece entirely slanted In Southampton’s favour. Their 4 point deduction for this season is a nonsense: it should have been treble that.
Based on the club’s weak punishment I’d expect the individual punishment to be just as weak, maybe a 10 game ban suspended unless there’s a repeat offence. |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:35 - Sep 21 with 828 views | themodfather |
well hearing starts this week and outcome by end of break, so we will know UNLIKE MAN CITY and their endless case!!!
for me, i am stunned players and board stuck with him cos spygate cost them a real chance of promotion and millions of quid and being in the big boys league.
and he sent spies out several times , does he think saints are M I 5?? | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:42 - Sep 21 with 810 views | kensalriser |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:06 - Sep 21 by Ned_Kennedys |
The article is just a puff piece entirely slanted In Southampton’s favour. Their 4 point deduction for this season is a nonsense: it should have been treble that.
Based on the club’s weak punishment I’d expect the individual punishment to be just as weak, maybe a 10 game ban suspended unless there’s a repeat offence. |
It's really poor from someone who's supposed to be a serious journalist. | |
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| Saints charged with spying on 13:54 - Sep 21 with 789 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:06 - Sep 21 by Ned_Kennedys |
The article is just a puff piece entirely slanted In Southampton’s favour. Their 4 point deduction for this season is a nonsense: it should have been treble that.
Based on the club’s weak punishment I’d expect the individual punishment to be just as weak, maybe a 10 game ban suspended unless there’s a repeat offence. |
I thought the 4 points deduction was weak, but you have to weigh that alongside the expulsion from the playoffs. So when you take it all together the balance is about right for punishing the club.
The EFL was under pressure to reach a quick decision in that case. In part that's down to their procedures and the fact that Southampton weren't obliged to respond to the charge until after the first leg of the playoffs had been played. They should probably look to tighten that in future.
Because of the crazy way that football is administered in this country the investigation into Southampton was an EFL matter while the investigation into Eckert is a PL matter - go figure!!
Logically, Southampton's surprisingly good FA Cup run wasn't covered by the EFL investigation. It would be interesting to know if the FA looked into that. And if they haven't then why not!?
The FA is a FIFA member (surprisingly the EFL isn't - again, go figure!!) and for that reason I would be surprised if they didn't follow the decision of the Canada Ladies team and impose a lengthy ban on anyone found guilty - spoiler alert, Eckert has already admitted the charge.
I would be surprised if Eckert doesn't get a lengthy ban. But these things are never a foregone conclusion. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:59 - Sep 21 with 774 views | LongRanger |
| Saints charged with spying on 12:15 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
Agree.
Gab's entitled to his opinion, but if he wants to say Southampton has been punished enough then he can say that in one line.
He doesn't need to come out with guff like:
"If he could take back what he did, he would."
"It's something some of the most celebrated managers in world football have done" - I'd like him to name names for that one, if he really believes it!
"At some point you have to draw a line under the saga and trust people: to learn from the experience, and to grow to become better in the future." - That doesn't absolve them from punishment. A lengthy ban would give Eckert plenty of time to reflect on his actions.
If Eckert wants forgiveness he can talk to his priest.
Gab risks damaging his credibility by putting his name to this nonsense. |
In the new Mourinho documentary I'm pretty sure Terry was admitting they had recordings of Bolton training, so guess they were doing it....which is probably no surprise to anyone | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:06 - Sep 21 with 747 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:59 - Sep 21 by LongRanger |
In the new Mourinho documentary I'm pretty sure Terry was admitting they had recordings of Bolton training, so guess they were doing it....which is probably no surprise to anyone |
And Chelsea fans wonder why JT can't get a job in management 
It would be funny if Mourinho sued him for libel over it 
Even allowing for the fact that Bielsa did it and Mourinho allegedly might have done it, none of that gives Eckert a Get out of Jail Free card. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:24 - Sep 21 with 698 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:59 - Sep 21 by LongRanger |
In the new Mourinho documentary I'm pretty sure Terry was admitting they had recordings of Bolton training, so guess they were doing it....which is probably no surprise to anyone |
But am I right in saying you can do it, just not within a timeframe of a game - 72 hours or something? I may have just imagined that |  | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:44 - Sep 21 with 647 views | LongRanger |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:24 - Sep 21 by Superhoops2808 |
But am I right in saying you can do it, just not within a timeframe of a game - 72 hours or something? I may have just imagined that |
You may be right, not certain, it definitely sounded from what he said about what Allardyce said or did, that it was close to the game, but not sure | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:49 - Sep 21 with 622 views | nick_hammersmith |
| Saints charged with spying on 13:59 - Sep 21 by LongRanger |
In the new Mourinho documentary I'm pretty sure Terry was admitting they had recordings of Bolton training, so guess they were doing it....which is probably no surprise to anyone |
My uncle was the club Dr for a lower league team that Mourinho's team played.
After the game Mourinho presented the other team with a comprehensive dossier they had compiled about them, showing which side they preferred, patterns of play etc..
I think the Chelsea team had all signed it as some kind of gift.
There is no way that it is just Bielsa and the Southampton manager who have ever done this.
I'm pretty sure there is a time constraint around the "viewing" of training sessions as well, but I think the EFL just want this to blow over, as it could be the tip of an iceberg that would be hugely complicated to legislate.
Remember when Sheff Utd wanted to sue West Ham?
Imagine if we found out Coventry cheated last season, in theory every other club could have a case to bring. Someone got relegated that shouldn't have, another team missed out on a promotion, the cases could go on for years! | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:49 - Sep 21 with 623 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:24 - Sep 21 by Superhoops2808 |
But am I right in saying you can do it, just not within a timeframe of a game - 72 hours or something? I may have just imagined that |
You're right.
You didn't imagine it.
Southampton were charged with two offences:
https://www.efl.com/news/2026/
"The charges relate to the following Regulations:
EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and
EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any Club from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs. " | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:59 - Sep 21 with 595 views | KensalT |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:49 - Sep 21 by nick_hammersmith |
My uncle was the club Dr for a lower league team that Mourinho's team played.
After the game Mourinho presented the other team with a comprehensive dossier they had compiled about them, showing which side they preferred, patterns of play etc..
I think the Chelsea team had all signed it as some kind of gift.
There is no way that it is just Bielsa and the Southampton manager who have ever done this.
I'm pretty sure there is a time constraint around the "viewing" of training sessions as well, but I think the EFL just want this to blow over, as it could be the tip of an iceberg that would be hugely complicated to legislate.
Remember when Sheff Utd wanted to sue West Ham?
Imagine if we found out Coventry cheated last season, in theory every other club could have a case to bring. Someone got relegated that shouldn't have, another team missed out on a promotion, the cases could go on for years! |
Was your uncle the club doctor at Scunthorpe?
I know Mourinho gave Brian Laws a dossier after they beat Scunthorpe in the FA Cup in 2005.
Although he might have done it more than once.
I don't think anyone believes Bielsa was the only case of this. Just as I don't think anyone believes Southampton only spied four times and somehow never managed to win any of those games. But thinking it and proving it are two different things. And in the Southampton case the EFL were under a lot of pressure to reach a quick decision.
When Bielsa was caught the laws of the game weren't adequate to deal with the offence. And so he got off lightly.
That's why new laws were brought in. | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 15:11 - Sep 21 with 550 views | Superhoops2808 |
| Saints charged with spying on 14:49 - Sep 21 by KensalT |
You're right.
You didn't imagine it.
Southampton were charged with two offences:
https://www.efl.com/news/2026/
"The charges relate to the following Regulations:
EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires Clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and
EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any Club from observing, or attempting to observe, another Club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two Clubs. " |
Thanks Kensal
I was sure I had read it somewhere but at 57 I get forgetful | | | |
| Saints charged with spying on 16:36 - Sep 21 with 400 views | StrawberryHillR |
Big admirer of Gab Sutton but think he's soiled the duvet on this one. He's trying to say that diving to win a penalty is on the same level as what Eckert was doing.
Diving for penalties is wrong, but it's a split-second decision in the heat of a game, and it's being monitored by someone charged to determine if it's a foul or not, in real time. In the Prem there's a bank of them to check the checker.
For the manager to put in place a systematic policy of cheating, it's just on another level. The manager sets the tone for the club - the ethos, the attitude, the standards. This is trying to get away with cheating without being seen, he's only sorry because he got caught.
Southampton's output on this has been absolutely disgusting - the FA shouldn't penalise the manager because you'll penalise the club! You should have sacked him! Institutionalised cheating gets you the bullet in any other walk of life. | | | |
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