Southampton Sanctioned for Espionage Tonda Eckert Will Be Able to Continue Coaching

He will be able to remain on the bench after receiving a six-week suspended sentence from the FA for the spying case in the promotion playoffs

Coach after the sanction

Southampton manager Russell Martin will be able to continue coaching after the Football Association (FA) imposed a six-week suspended ban on him for the spying incident during the Premier League promotion playoffs

The sanction

Southampton was disqualified from the promotion playoff final after a member of Eckert's coaching staff was caught at Middlesbrough's training center before the semifinals. During the investigation into the case, Southampton admitted to also spying on other teams during the season.

In addition to being disqualified from the playoffs, they were docked four points for the current season

Eckert's statement

Despite Eckert's claims, in which he admitted that he did not know that the practice of spying was prohibited, the FA has decided to impose a six-week ban on him from working in soccer, although this will not be enforced if the German does not reoffend before the end of next season.

He will also have to pay a fine of £28,000 ($35,000). EFE