Eckert “accepted that he had specifically authorised the observations”, which had “seriously violated” the integrity of the competition, the panel stated when explaining why it had applied such a serious sanction.

In addition to the expulsion and point penalty punishments, a reprimand was also imposed on Southampton.

This was not just because other teams had been spied on, but “because of the way in which junior members of staff were put under pressure to carry out activities which they felt were morally wrong”, the panel stated.

The whole matter only arose after a junior member of staff was spotted secretly watching Middlesbrough at their training ground.

In the club’s initial response to the EFL, Southampton stated the conduct was not part of the culture at St Mary’s and that no video was captured, transmitted, shared or analysed. Southampton subsequently acknowledged this was inaccurate, stated the panel, which stated the reality was that “the opposite was the case”.

More to follow.

Related topics

  • Championship
  • Southampton
  • Football
  • Boro boss relieved ‘right thing done’ over Spygate
    • Published
      1 hour ago
    Kim Hellberg during the Southampton v Middlesbrough match
  • FA opens Southampton investigation over Spygate
    • Published
      4 hours ago
    An exterior view of St Mary's Stadium in Southampton

More on this story

  • Recent Southampton news and analysis
    Southampton badge
  • Listen to Southampton content on BBC Sounds
    St Mary's stadium

✔ today silver rate

✔ 2026 winter olympics

✔ chat gtp

✔ silver rate today

✔ silver rate today live

✔ 2030 winter olympics

Read More

Sports

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *