Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been handed a suspended six-week ban and a £28,000 fine after admitting his role in the club’s “spygate” scandal.

Eckert admitted he authorised the observation of training sessions of three rival Championship clubs last season. The FA charged him with misconduct in July, and an independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions after a hearing. The suspension will remain suspended until the end of the 2027-28 season.

“I made a mistake and I said that relatively quickly and then I think you just have to accept the consequences,” Eckert told reporters on Thursday. He said he was happy the club goes into Sunday’s south-coast derby against Portsmouth with clarity.

Southampton were earlier expelled from last season’s Championship playoff final and handed a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 campaign after observing Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough in training. The club are currently 13th in the Championship with 10 points from eight matches.