Officially: Southampton coach suspended for spying

The FA has suspended Southampton manager Tonda Eikert for 6 weeks, pending further action, due to his involvement in spying on rival clubs' training sessions last season. This case has sparked widespread controversy in English football.

Eickert has admitted to directing or allowing the monitoring of training sessions at Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough ahead of their matches against Southampton, which the English Football Association considered a breach of conduct rules and a violation of competitive integrity.

The English Football Association has imposed a £28,000 fine on the German coach, with the suspension set to take effect if he commits another violation during the suspension period.

Eckert will continue his role at Southampton as normal, after the club confirmed their support for the manager following the decision. The team had previously been excluded from the promotion play-off for the Premier League and had 4 points deducted from their tally due to the same spying case.