Tonda Eckert, Southampton’s head coach, will eventually hear his fate from the FA following the Spygate affair.

The Saints were expelled from the Championship play-offs in May after being found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough’s training session ahead of their match, with it later revealed that the South Coasters had also observed Ipswich Town and Oxford United’s training sessions earlier in the season.

Southampton was therefore docked four points for the 2026/27 Championship season, however they have begun well and would be in the play-offs if not for the deduction.

There has been a significant update on when Eckert will face an FA hearing while awaiting the result of his three accusations.

Tonda Eckert is due to face an FA hearing soon.

Southampton were hoping for a definitive verdict on the Football Association’s complaint against Eckert during the September international break, and it appears that they may get their wish.

BBC Radio Solent has learned that the German will face an FA hearing later this week over Spygate.

According to the publication, the 33-year-old may face a ban, although the severity and duration of the punishment are unclear.Eckert informed BBC Radio Solent that he met with the FA to discuss the incident.Now it is up to them to make a decision. I don’t have any feelings about that.”

What punishment might Eckert face?

While Southampton’s decision has already been made, the FA will consider Eckert’s actions and he is likely to face a separate punishment.

The FA allegations fall under E3.1, which covers inappropriate conduct and/or bringing the game into disrepute, and the consequences might vary from a touchline ban to a longer football suspension.

A touchline ban would restrict Eckert from appearing in the technical area on matchdays for a set amount of games, implying that assistant Ben Garner would most likely take over in the dugout as the German watched from the seats.

Southampton’s upcoming five fixtures

Competition

Portsmouth (H)

Championship

Norwich City (A

Championship

Bolton Wanderers (H)

Championship

West Ham (A)

Championship

QPR (H)

Championship

This would not preclude the German from carrying out his day-to-day obligations, and he could continue to receive training in addition to his managing duties.

However, a longer football suspension would be even more harsh, as it would prevent the 33-year-old from engaging in football-management duties at all.

FIFA banned Bev Priestman, Canada’s women’s coach, from all football-related activities for 12 months after she was discovered to have used a drone to spy on New Zealand’s training at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Of course, this is a different football body and a different set of circumstances, but it may provide some insight into the punishment Eckert could face.

How Southampton supporters responded to Eckert news

With the FA decision approaching, one supporter obviously believes that the entire thing has been blown out of proportion.

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