Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been charged by the FA with misconduct and potentially bringing the game into disrepute over the 'spygate' scandal.

The EFL expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs in May and handed the club a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 season after they admitted "multiple breaches" relating to the unauthorised filming of their opponents' training, including before their semi-final against Middlesbrough.

Southampton beat Middlesbrough and were due to play Hull City in the play-off final before Boro were reinstated. Southampton appealed the decision, but the punishments were upheld by a League Arbitration Panel.

During the Spygate hearing, the EFL only had the power to charge clubs, not individuals. The FA waited for the EFL process to run its course before launching its own investigation.

The FA has charged Eckert with three breaches of rule E3.1, during the period between December 2025 and May 2026, by "directoring and/or observing" training sessions of Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough.

Rule E3.1 states: "A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour".

Southampton say they remain "fully supportive" of Eckert and will "continue to cooperate fully and openly with The FA".

More to follow.