News of Bahrain
Sports3 June 20261 min read

Southampton coach Eckert takes blame for ‘spygate’

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert issued an apology yesterday for orchestrating the "spygate" scandal, admitting he is responsible for "everything that has happened". Saints were thrown out of the Championship play-offs last month afte

Editorial Team Legacy

Published 3 June 2026, 8:00 · Updated 18:11

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Southampton coach Eckert takes blame for ‘spygate’

AFP | London

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert issued an apology yesterday for orchestrating the “spygate” scandal, admitting he is responsible for “everything that has happened”.

Saints were thrown out of the Championship play-offs last month after admitting sending a young intern to spy on a Middlesbrough training session.

The English Football League said the south-coast club were found guilty of a “deplorable” act of putting pressure on the junior member of staff to spy on Boro.

In a damning verdict, the governing body said Southampton boss Eckert authorised the spying.

The German, 33, has now put out a lengthy video statement on club media, which began: “I will try to be as honest and clear as I can be.

“For everything that has happened, I do want to apologise and I hold my hand up because as head coach I am responsible.

“I am responsible for everything that has happened at this football club.”

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