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Southampton owner will not sack apologetic Eckert despite role in Spygate scandal

The Guardian Sport Tuesday 02 June 2026, 09:35 UTC By Ben Fisher 1 min read
Key Points

Saints boss issues apology in video message from clubDragan Solak wants to ‘close the chapter and look ahead’Tonda Eckert has apologised for orchestrating the Spygate scandal that culminated in Southampton being kicked out of the Championship playoff final. Southampton, who observed training sessions of three opponents last season, were denied the chance to win promotion after an independent disciplinary commission found the club “seriously violated” the integrity of the competition. Eckert,...

  • Saints boss issues apology in video message from club

  • Dragan Solak wants to ‘close the chapter and look ahead’

Tonda Eckert has apologised for orchestrating the Spygate scandal that culminated in Southampton being kicked out of the Championship playoff final. Southampton, who observed training sessions of three opponents last season, were denied the chance to win promotion after an independent disciplinary commission found the club “seriously violated” the integrity of the competition.

Eckert, publicly addressing the six charges made by the English Football League for the first time in a video message released by the club, said he accepted “full responsibility”, adding: “I apologise to all of the clubs that have been involved and mostly I apologise to our supporters.” In a similar address, the Southampton owner, Dragan Solak, said he wants the German head coach who is under investigation from the Football Association, to lead the club into the Premier League next season.

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Southampton (ORG) Eckert (PERSON) Saints (ORG) Solak (EVENT) Championship (EVENT) the English Football League (ORG) Dragan Solak (PERSON) German (ORG) the Football Association (ORG) the Premier League (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian Sport Read original →

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