Southampton manager free to stay in charge after spygate

Tonda Eckert is free to continue as Southampton manager after being given a suspended ban for his role in the Spygate scandal.

A Football Association (FA) independent regulatory commission handed the German a six-week ban from all football, but suspended it until the end of next season.

Eckert has also been given a £28,000 fine and reprimand but avoided a lengthy ban that could have cost him his job.

The FA had proposed a three-month ban, but the commission gave credit to Eckert for what they called "considerable mitigation in this matter, most particularly around the genuine contrition".

The FA is yet to confirm whether it will appeal.

Could only ban him in this country otherwise would given him a world wide ban as what he did isn't illegal in other countries... but guessing he won't get job here so back to Germany where they allow snooping.

Could only ban him in this country otherwise would given him a world wide ban as what he did isn't illegal in other countries... but guessing he won't get job here so back to Germany where they allow snooping.

Looks like he'll be staying unless the FA appeal?

Suspended ban until the end of next season so would only kick in if he does it again between now and then.

Could only ban him in this country otherwise would given him a world wide ban as what he did isn't illegal in other countries... but guessing he won't get job here so back to Germany where they allow snooping.

Looks like he'll be staying unless the FA appeal?

Suspended ban until the end of next season so would only kick in if he does it again between now and then.

Ned hes not going to so thats end of it... don't think fa will appeal not point and waste of money.
...he and fans will just have to put up with the undoubted ribbing from away fans .. but surprised hes staying but they must think he's worth it.

In a statement, Southampton welcomed the decision.

"We hope this now brings a conclusion to a regrettable period of our history, and measures have been put in place to ensure that such errors in judgement never happen again at our club," the club said.

"We want to take this opportunity to thank the supporters for their unconditional backing throughout this process."

Saints owner Dragan Solak said the club had "already suffered enough".

"We appreciate the panel's recognition of that," he said.

"We are confident the manager has learned from this matter, and a suspended sentence allows him to continue in his role.

"I firmly believe that Tonda is one of Europe's most exciting young coaches, and with this distraction removed, I am confident he can lead the team to a successful season."

Solak said the FA process had been a "positive experience", but criticised the English Football League (EFL), saying "the way they have treated us is not something we will forget".

Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs in May after admitting spying on training sessions involving Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final.

They were also handed a four-point deduction for this season.

Could only ban him in this country otherwise would given him a world wide ban as what he did isn't illegal in other countries... but guessing he won't get job here so back to Germany where they allow snooping.

It's not illegal over here either. He broke a rule.