Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert is still serving his punishment for his role in the Spygate scandal that shook English football earlier in 2026 but a recent update on the matter looks to be a positive one for his future.

There was much outrage after a Saints analyst was seen visiting Middlesbrough’s training field ahead to their Championship play-off encounter in May, within the 72-hour period for monitoring an opposition training session – which saw the south coast team lose their place in the play-off final.

Five months after the incident, Eckert hasn’t been punished as a manager, even after taking responsibility for what transpired. The situation needs closure, and it needs it fast.

So what’s the latest on the Tonda Eckert, Spygate story?

The FA charged Eckert with three breaches of FA Rule E3.1 for misconduct, for authorising surveillance on not only Middlesbrough but Ipswich Town and Oxford United as well.

His hearing started earlier in the international break and ideally, with club football to restart this weekend, his sentence would have been in black and white by then.

But four days before they meet Portsmouth Southampton are still in the dark whether Eckert is to face a spell on the sidelines. Club chief Phil Parsons believes any further punishment of Eckert would be ‘tough to take’ given the sanctions already hit with points deductions.

Southampton update: Tonda Eckert could learn his destiny shortly

And there could be some good news for Saints fans on the eve of the first South Coast rivalry of the campaign.

“There are ‘good sounds’ coming out of the club’s camp about what sanctions could be levied and it is suggested that an official ruling from the FA for the Spygate claims could be close, according to local Saints reporter Alfie House.

That implies that if it does happen, Southampton may not lose Eckert as their head coach for any length of time at all, with many advocating for the German to be issued a lengthy ban.

But it looks like the 33-year-old could dodge that and carry on at Southampton. But it’s worth stressing that no official final decision has been made yet.

Tonda Eckert news could be released before Sunday’s match to give Southampton a massive boost

Eckert, it is being said, could avoid a real ban for his conduct last season – and that would be music to the ears of Southampton fans and their hierarchy.

The allegations come with clear evidence of misconduct in the eyes of the FA but they could feel as though Southampton have been punished enough on the pitch – which is what Parsons and co are claiming.

But any good news before the home meeting with Portsmouth on Sunday may be much more useful and make their 12th man even more loud on the terraces of St Mary’s Stadium.

If Eckert does get away with a ban, many will think he has got away lightly with his acts but that is not how most Southampton fans will likely perceive it.