Newly published documents have revealed that Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert initiated the practice of spying on rival teams, with interns pressured into recording training sessions. The revelations come after Southampton were expelled from the Championship playoffs last month for spying on Oxford United, Ipswich, and Middlesbrough.
Eckert's Role in Spying
According to the written reasons from an English Football League arbitration panel, the first spying incident occurred before Southampton's Boxing Day match against Oxford United. Eckert asked if someone could observe Oxford's training session to see their lineup and the fitness of a player, Cameron Brannagan. Eckert later told a disciplinary commission he was surprised such actions were against the rules.
Eckert made the suggestion during a meeting of Southampton's analysis team, and an analyst assigned an intern to the task. The intern later stated he "didn't really have an option" and "wasn't provided an opportunity to say no." After observing two Oxford training sessions, the intern sent back updates, photographs, and videos on tactical shape and player selection.
Eckert claimed he did not watch the footage but had a phone conversation with the intern afterward. A member of the analysis team messaged the intern on WhatsApp: "Try and make out as much as you can please. You legend. Manager loved it."
Further Spying Incidents
In April, the intern was asked to spy on Ipswich Town, who trained at Eastleigh's ground ahead of a match at Southampton. The intern refused, saying he was told "the boss is adamant that someone needs to go." An academy analyst then recorded footage of the session. Eckert told the commission he was aware of the footage two hours before kick-off and thought it was recorded on CCTV by Eastleigh.
The third incident involved Middlesbrough. The original intern agreed to the task, fearing his job would be at risk if he refused. He was later criticized by Eckert for not flying immediately upon accepting. The intern was caught filming a training session, leading to the club's expulsion. He waited for Eckert's instruction to return home but left when none came, learning of the accusations on the train.
Eckert's Defense
Eckert told the commission that the videos taken of Middlesbrough's training session "were of poor quality, taken from far distance and so, they were of no benefit to him." However, the arbitration panel found that the club gained a sporting advantage from the spying, noting that "sporting advantage is different from sporting success." The panel rejected Southampton's appeal against their removal from the playoffs and a four-point deduction for next season.
The Football Association is continuing its investigation into the matter.
