Southampton Expelled from Play-offs and Deducted Four Points for Spying on Rivals

Southampton owner Dragan Solak said he will keep Tonda Eckert as head coach despite the 33-year-old German's role in a spying operation that led to the club's expulsion from the Championship promotion play-offs and a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 season.

" Eckert was appointed on a permanent basis in December after a short spell as caretaker boss. " The written reasons of an arbitration panel hearing Southampton's appeal against the punishment were published on Monday.

Southampton admitted to observing the training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season and of Middlesbrough ahead of the play-off semi-final. The team beat Middlesbrough over two legs to reach the play-off final before being removed from the competition. Eckert was described as "surprised" to learn that EFL regulations prohibited the practice.

He stated that even senior club officials initially thought the reports were a joke. The owner also said the club lost its chance to win £200 million because of the expulsion. Solak told Eckert: "You almost broke my heart.

You do it again, you'll kill me. " He noted that the practice was common in Italy and Germany, where Eckert had previously worked, but acknowledged it violated EFL rules. " The arbitration panel condemned Southampton for initially providing misleading information to Middlesbrough about the spying mission.

Solak said the club offered the analyst intern involved in the operation a prolonged job with the club. He added that he has "a lot of pity" for the staff member and that the club would like him to stay. The Football Association is investigating the scandal and could charge Eckert.

Solak said he would continue to support the coach even if banned but could not employ him to manage if the FA imposed such a sanction. " Solak, whose media company acquired a majority stake in Southampton in 2022, said he is "completely devastated" by the episode and that the club must apologise to its fans. He stated that the club will learn from the incident and become stronger.