Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has apologized for orchestrating the 'spygate' scandal that resulted in the club's expulsion from the Championship playoffs. In a video statement, Eckert said: 'For everything that's happened, I do want to apologise, and I hold my hand up because as a head coach I am responsible for everything that has happened in this football club.'

The Saints were kicked out of last month's playoff final after admitting they had observed a training session held by semifinal opponents Middlesbrough, as well as two other similar incidents during the season. They also received a four-point deduction for the 2026-27 Championship table, while the Football Association has opened its own investigation and could charge Eckert.

An independent disciplinary commission of the English Football League (EFL) ruled that there had been a 'contrived and determined plan from the top down to gain a competitive advantage' through spying missions. It said Eckert had authorized the tactics, highlighting the 'particularly deplorable' use of junior staff for clandestine operations.

Southampton beat Middlesbrough 2-1 over two legs in the playoff semifinals, but Boro were reinstated and went on to lose in the final to Hull City, who were promoted to the Premier League. The prize for the winners is estimated at 200 million pounds ($268m) in extra income.

Eckert, 33, claimed that observing other teams was routine in Italy and Germany, but admitted this was not an excuse in England. Chairman Dragan Solak gave robust backing to Eckert, stating he would not sack him and that the club's objective is promotion back to the Premier League. Solak also claimed the club had been 'over-sentenced' and that Eckert was subject to a media witch-hunt.

Source: www.aljazeera.com