The Spygate Saga - 6 Week ban suspended for Eckert

[Badger]

13 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

There is no way that having an ex-Middlesbrough player and another lawyer who'd advised Middlesbrough in the past on an EFL disciplinary panel that decided to replace Southampton with Middlesbrough in the play-off final could be seen as impartial and neither was shortening the appeal period to ensure it terminated before the play-off final took place, which did not give enough time for Southampton's legal team to investigate the Middlesbrough connections of the panel members.  There was also a lot of false and misleading information fed to the media, which prejudiced the case.

Perhaps now is the time to turn the spotlight on Middlesbrough's role in all of this, including, for example, who came up with the suggestion of "bullying" and  "use of high level surveillance equipment" and leaked it to the media?

This is one reason you really have to question our response to it, and legal advice we brought in. Why didn’t we create over the possible fact members of the panel might be conflicted before the event ? No good bleating about it afterwards and trying to recover lost ground.

Badly handled it seems. 

13 minutes ago, obelisk said:

I cannot help but compare the FA panel to that cobbled together by the EFL.

The FA panel took their time to consider the evidence and ignored calls from the accusers for them to have the accused executed.

The EFL panel had the appearance of not being independent, it was heavily influenced by the accusers and declined to consider the defence or even mitigation. It was rushed and then quickly produced the draconian measures that its employers demanded. 

I wouldn't be surprised if Dragan wasn't considering taking some sort of revenge on the EFL clowns.

Seems we were badly advised and tactically naive in our approach. 

Parsons has taken much of the blame for a muppetry approach, but shame Dragan didn’t send in the big guns from the outset. 

(IMHO as someone used to say) 

[Patrick Bateman]

25 minutes ago, Paul Chuckle said:

These 2 are absolutely fuming about the outcome. No idea who they are but they are not happy.

There are so many of these types all over the internet - no idea who they are, plenty of clickbait around, pft, who cares.

The only podcast I bother with is our own Total Saints which is decent.

[Fabrice29]

28 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

With hindsight, it would be interesting to know what would have happened if we HADN'T agreed to the accelerated timeline of events. We were surely within our rights to say no, we want to follow the proper process which would have meant the playoff final went ahead with us in. What would the EFL had done then if we'd been promoted? Sent Hull up anyway? I don't think so.

Think Eckert would receive a harsher punishment in that instance. It's pretty clear from the report that the EFL punishment and Eckerts contrition are the two main factors for reduction and suspension. 

Think the idea that todays ruling is a bad reflection the EFL ruling is a wrong one in that sense. FA had two things the EFL didn't, a previous punishment and the time to interview Eckert a few months on whilst he's reflected, shown remorse and worked on his understanding.

[Oldandtired]

13 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Think Eckert would receive a harsher punishment in that instance. It's pretty clear from the report that the EFL punishment and Eckerts contrition are the two main factors for reduction and suspension. 

Think the idea that todays ruling is a bad reflection the EFL ruling is a wrong one in that sense. FA had two things the EFL didn't, a previous punishment and the time to interview Eckert a few months on whilst he's reflected, shown remorse and worked on his understanding.

That's certainly one way of looking at it, however to my mind there seems to be no way of squaring the EFL Middlesborough connection circle... how could Eckert have got a totally impartial hearing at the EFL with that in place?

[Fabrice29]

8 minutes ago, Oldandtired said:

That's certainly one way of looking at it, however to my mind there seems to be no way of squaring the EFL Middlesborough connection circle... how could Eckert have got a totally impartial hearing at the EFL with that in place?

It's not just a way of looking at it, it's what the FA have said. 

Not sure there is any evidence of bias in the EFL stuff is there? Other than fans convinced that because it went Boro's way and not ours then it must be a conspiracy theory. As has been pointed out on here before, us being bang to rights is probably more of a factor that someone having a connection to Boro. The report today hasn't exonerated us or Eckert remember, it's confirmed pretty much all relevant detail required, we broke the rules and a sporting sanction is appropriate.

Edited 12 hours ago by Fabrice29

[Willo of Whiteley]

49 minutes ago, Paul Chuckle said:

These 2 are absolutely fuming about the outcome. No idea who they are but they are not happy.

Two of the biggest bellends in terms of podcasting.

I remember when we beat Leeds at Wembley, they were absolutely devastated. 😂

[Fabrice29]

1 minute ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Two of the biggest bellends in terms of podcasting.

I remember when we beat Leeds at Wembley, they were absolutely devastated. 😂

You know one of those two didn't do the podcast at that time, right?

[Willo of Whiteley]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

You know one of those two didn't do the podcast at that time, right?

The original two.

Wasnt aware they’d split, if they have.

Havent listened since that day. Whoever the two muppets were were on the verge of tears 😂

[trousers]

😂

[Fabrice29]

MLT such a wally isn’t he 😂

[trousers]

😂

[Patrick Bateman]

15 minutes ago, trousers said:

😂

Joe M ... another tedious twat. Get in the bin with the ball bag from the Sun.

[Britannia]

Jobi McAnuff is a miserable sod isn’t he.

[saintant]

Just now, Britannia said:

Jobi McAnuff is a miserable sod isn’t he.

You'd think, having been in the game, he'd be fully aware this stuff was going on and has always gone on at most other clubs. It's common knowledge within the game so time he stopped denying it. 

[Britannia]

34 minutes ago, saintant said:

You'd think, having been in the game, he'd be fully aware this stuff was going on and has always gone on at most other clubs. It's common knowledge within the game so time he stopped denying it. 

I've just listened to his interview from this evening.

Adam mentions that it's common knowledge this happens.  Jobi refutes it.  He refuses to acknowledge that it happens because it doesn't fit within his ideology.  He prevaricates a bit but doesn't acknowledge it.  Grandstanding doesn't make the problem go away. 

I strongly disagree with cheating, dishonesty and poor sportsmanship and wish it didn't happen.

Edited 11 hours ago by Britannia

[Cuddles]

On 04/10/2026 at 12:38, Cuddles said:

Why's everyone being so negative? It will be fine. Probably a suspended ban or something.

Fuck me. I even got the fine bit right 😉

[HKsaint]

The decisions may encourage managers to take risks at the expense of their clubs. If no one discovers, he enjoys the benefits. If discovered, the club will be severely punished, and he may get sacked, suspended sentence, and then he can find another job. 
I believe that Tonda is ignorant about the rule, but how about the club? Should they be familiar with all the rules and have some measures to avoid breaching the rules by any staff? I am afraid there could be some internal management problems within the club.

[Paul Chuckle]

6 hours ago, trousers said:

😂

Just looked him up, lovely impartial comment from a Skate. All these comments like 'most hated club' are what people like him wish. I've met fans of so many other clubs when I've travelled the UK with work and they might have a bit of a joke about Spygate but none of them 'hate us' or even actually care, most think we've actually been treated badly. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

The panel made a sensible decision. I'd take the suspended ban. Hopefully now the he and the squad can concentrate on the football, starting Sunday.

Not surprised that the FA wanted to ban him outright, what a joke.

[AlexLaw76]

Football Journalism and its quest to be seen as “proper” is fucking so contrived.

it is like they demand Tonda like to do a national press conference and plead for forgiveness , whilst being pelted with rotten fruit, in order to demonstrate the desired levels of “contrition” 

Edited 4 hours ago by AlexLaw76

[Harry_SFC]

6 hours ago, Britannia said:

I've just listened to his interview from this evening.

Adam mentions that it's common knowledge this happens.  Jobi refutes it.  He refuses to acknowledge that it happens because it doesn't fit within his ideology.  He prevaricates a bit but doesn't acknowledge it.  Grandstanding doesn't make the problem go away. 

I strongly disagree with cheating, dishonesty and poor sportsmanship and wish it didn't happen.

Tony Pulis recently came out and said he did it, we know Bielsa did it. It's common over Europe and probably the rest of the world.

The main rule is not in place if you observe another team outside of 72 hours before the game.

It's not as big a deal as he's making out at all. 

[Tamesaint]

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Football Journalism and its quest to be seen as “proper” is fucking so contrived.

it is like they demand Tonda like to do a national press conference and plead for Dungeness, whilst being pelted with rotten fruit, in order to demonstrate the desired levels of “contrition” 

Is it just Dungeness he has to appeal for or would another part of Kent suffice ??

[egg]

7 hours ago, Oldandtired said:

That's certainly one way of looking at it, however to my mind there seems to be no way of squaring the EFL Middlesborough connection circle... how could Eckert have got a totally impartial hearing at the EFL with that in place?

Winnie played for them once on loan. They lost 4 nil, he was dropped from the squad, and sent back to his club. I'm not sure that's a history which will make him want to help Boro. That said, he'd have been impartial -  not a great career move to be anything but. 

The Bannerjee connection is a wee bit more relevant. She advised them once and I think she should have declared that and recused herself. That said, I think she only advised them once, which suggests to me that it wasn't a commercial relationship which went terribly well. 

In short, sure there were brief historical connections and common sense says they shouldn't have been there to avoid this kind of discussion. To be fair to the club, they opposed their involvement. 

That all said, our biggest issue wasn't the panel composition, but our representation and approach. We didn't co-operate, we ponied up the kid to give evidence (he didn't show up at the FA hearing, fortunately) which didn't help, we used non sports specialist counsel (who was binned for the appeal - we got it very right this time) and most significantly, we approached it seeking a fine when a sporting sanction was bloody obvious (this time we were realistic). The only sporting sanction on the table was expulsion from the play offs, so I'm not sure what choice any panel had - it was literally that or nothing that would have hurt us. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Just listened to the Football Daily from last night (Adam Blackmore and Jodie McAnuff).

I actually thought AB articulated Saints case very well. Also brought up points from within the documents about how Tonda has behaved during proceedings and how he didn’t intentionally send people out to spy (certainly on Ipswich) but was offered the chance to view some footage.

Naturally this doesn’t fit in with the narrative that some people feel, like JM, and no doubt there will be others out there that feel the same.

I admire the BBC impartiality to bring a Middlesbrough fan on for the last three minutes - who isn’t bitter towards Saints, apparently - but also thinks Tonda has got away with it.

AB came off very well and the other two just came off as sounding “it’s not fair”.

The only thing I’d love AB to have done is say “What more punishment do you want? How is it of benefit to anyone? What do you gain out of it personally seeing someone else fail for a mistake? How would you feel if it was your own manager?”

 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

7 hours ago, trousers said:

😂

"irrelevent club, in Timbuktoo, to most hated club, on portsea island and teeside (OK, if everyone ignores the previous charity robbers and taxpayer cheats...)"

[obelisk]

Mr Macanuff maybe should consider his position as a so-called Independent non-Exec Director on the FA Board if he wants to publicly pontificate on matters about which he knows nothing or even to knowingly tell blatant untruths.

[bpsaint]

8 hours ago, trousers said:

😂

Fat headed skate cunt. He’d know all about class wouldn’t he…

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/portsmouth-steep-new-low-pocketing-3359282.amp

[hypochondriac]

8 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

It's not just a way of looking at it, it's what the FA have said. 

Not sure there is any evidence of bias in the EFL stuff is there? Other than fans convinced that because it went Boro's way and not ours then it must be a conspiracy theory. As has been pointed out on here before, us being bang to rights is probably more of a factor that someone having a connection to Boro. The report today hasn't exonerated us or Eckert remember, it's confirmed pretty much all relevant detail required, we broke the rules and a sporting sanction is appropriate.

The EFL said that there was basically no mitigation because Eckert was unconvincing and they didn't believe that he didn't know what he was doing was wrong. The FA commission by contrast did believe all of that, said that there wasn't systemic spying and that Eckert was an exceptional witness. That's quite a contrast and in my opinion the commission with the 1,000 page evidence pack from the EFL and months to come to a decision is probably more likely to be correct.

[goodymatt]

 

[whelk]

I can get worked up as anyone when you hear someone slagging off our club or the punishment. Tribalism is everything but it is so boring hearing anyone chipping in. I can 100% say I wouldn’t have got worked up if was Portsmouth who did what we did. That said it is fun having a new hit list of Winter, Harris, Corden, Gibson, cunt that manages Bromley, and others. Deeney also, and that semi literate cunt gets paid to opine funded by my licence fee. 

[obelisk]

4 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

 

Looks like Jobi's about to burst into tears. "Independent", my arse.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Caught 20 seconds of radio 5 live. "he got away with it" the reporter said. He also mentioned the man who speaks for all managers, Neil Harris.

[sfc4prem]

I've always felt Jobi has a weird dislike of our club. Seen patches of it before during his punditry on our games. The bloke needs to move on from whatever pain Saints have caused him. If i'm honest, he's coming across as a bit of a whiney, holier-than-thou cunt.

[saintant]

51 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Mr Macanuff maybe should consider his position as a so-called Independent non-Exec Director on the FA Board if he wants to publicly pontificate on matters about which he knows nothing or even to knowingly tell blatant untruths.

He has far too much to say and is particularly vociferous against us. I think maybe he should now be named Jobi Thatsenough.

[Osvaldorama]

I just hope everyone at the club is looking at the media, the reaction etc. and using it as fuel. 
 

The truth is it was a a minor infraction, we were given a punishment that was way OTT, yet people are still piling on. 

Let’s just smash Pompey, and make sure we do Boro home and away 

[Doctoroncall]

DT article

Guardian article 

[Sunglasses Ron]

Looks like the media have moved on to the next scandal already... 😅

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw203n6emde8o

Hopefully he was based in Portsmouth.

[Fabrice29]

52 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

The EFL said that there was basically no mitigation because Eckert was unconvincing and they didn't believe that he didn't know what he was doing was wrong. The FA commission by contrast did believe all of that, said that there wasn't systemic spying and that Eckert was an exceptional witness. That's quite a contrast and in my opinion the commission with the 1,000 page evidence pack from the EFL and months to come to a decision is probably more likely to be correct.

An excellent witness because he admitted he did wrong and has shown willingness to understand why. There’s no exoneration here and no ‘more likely to be correct’. It’s just a reflection of time.

This report has quite literally used the EFL punishment as a reason to suspend the ban the commission thought was appropriate. 

[manji]

9 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Two of the biggest bellends in terms of podcasting.

I remember when we beat Leeds at Wembley, they were absolutely devastated. 😂

Every time you link any of these you are giving them clicks and they get paid FFS 

[whelk]

9 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

DT article

Guardian article 

Add Jason Burt to the hit list: 

Southampton claim they have suffered enough. But have they? What they did was pretty despicable. They tried to gain an unfair advantage over Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final

[Midfield_General]

Guardian report saying that FA may appeal the verdict of its own (independent) panel, but there are no quotes suggesting that anyone has actually said they will, so at this stage that seems based only on the fact they have the right to, if they want to:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/07/southampton-manager-tonda-eckert-six-week-suspended-ban-spygate-fa

It’s not without precedent though. They have appealed their own panel’s verdicts before when they’ve felt they were too lenient. Some of those appeals have failed but some have seen the verdicts changed to a harsher punishment. 

[hypochondriac]

10 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

An excellent witness because he admitted he did wrong and has shown willingness to understand why. There’s no exoneration here and no ‘more likely to be correct’. It’s just a reflection of time.

This report has quite literally used the EFL punishment as a reason to suspend the ban the commission thought was appropriate. 

Who suggested he was exonerated? He didn't direct a systemic spying campaign which has been the narrative for months. They are convinced that he didn't know it was wrong or morally wrong unlike the EFL findings. There are clear and marked differences. He was an excellent witness not only because he admitted what he did but because he showed genuine contrition.

[hypochondriac]

13 minutes ago, whelk said:

Add Jason Burt to the hit list: 

Southampton claim they have suffered enough. But have they? What they did was pretty despicable. They tried to gain an unfair advantage over Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final

What more suffering would he consider acceptable?

[badgerx16]

If only these media twats put as much effort into pursuing "in game" cheating that has a real impact on results. Whatever Tonda might have done, Bruno Fernandes, for instance, is a much more malign blight on the game.

 

[badgerx16]

23 minutes ago, whelk said:

Add Jason Burt to the hit list: 

Southampton claim they have suffered enough. But have they? What they did was pretty despicable. They tried to gain an unfair advantage over Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-final

I hope he now directs his ire towards Man City, in a proportionate manner.

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, badgerx16 said:

If only these media twats put as much effort into pursuing "in game" cheating that has a real impact on results. Whatever Tonda might have done, Bruno Fernandes, for instance, is a much more malign blight on the game.

 

And he won one of the player of the season awards…..

[Badger]

9 hours ago, trousers said:

😂

Overuse of the word “class” here it seems. Can’t take him seriously.

Bit of a pet hate how these cretins trot this word out as an all embracing word of approval or disapproval. 
 

Not sure ‘class’ would be recognised in his part of the world. Skate twat.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Badger

[Badger]

18 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

What more suffering would he consider acceptable?

Seems obvious:

 

Shamelessly taken from further up the thread 

[Badger]

32 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Guardian report saying that FA may appeal the verdict of its own (independent) panel, but there are no quotes suggesting that anyone has actually said they will, so at this stage that seems based only on the fact they have the right to, if they want to:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/07/southampton-manager-tonda-eckert-six-week-suspended-ban-spygate-fa

It’s not without precedent though. They have appealed their own panel’s verdicts before when they’ve felt they were too lenient. Some of those appeals have failed but some have seen the verdicts changed to a harsher punishment. 

I suspect their decision to appeal might be influenced by the response generally. If it creates a storm then they may feel the need to be seen to challenge it. If as it seems most of the response is a shrug of the shoulders then they’d be more inclined to leave it. 

[revolution saint]

Create fake outrage, then create more fake outrage when regulatory bodies fail to respond adequately to your level of initial fake outrage.  Sit back and watch the clicks increase.