Southampton's recent media push sparks Tonda Eckert theory ahead of Spygate decision | OneFootball

George Elek believes that Southampton are trying to build sympathy for Tonda Eckert ahead of the imminent Spygate verdict.

EFL pundit George Elek believes Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert will receive a punishment for the Spygate scandal, despite recent attempts by the club to build sympathy in the media.

It has been a decent start to the season for Southampton on the pitch, but headlines at St Mary's are currently dominated by off-field issues as the fallout from the Spygate affair continues.

Tonda Eckert facing anxious Southampton wait as Spygate verdict looms

Action Images

After replacing Will Still in November, Eckert led Southampton to a fourth-placed finish in the Championship, and they booked their place in the play-off final with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Middlesbrough in their semi-final tie.

However, the Saints were kicked out of the Wembley showpiece after they were found to have spied on Boro in the build-up to the first leg at the Riverside Stadium, and they later admitted to observing the training sessions of Oxford United and Ipswich Town during the regular season.

As well as being expelled from the final, Southampton were deducted four points for this season, while Eckert was charged with misconduct in July following an FA investigation, with a hearing set to take place this week to decide the German's fate.

It is unclear at this stage whether Eckert will face a ban, but when asked if he feels a suspension would be excessive, the 33-year-old said that he had "asked for forgiveness for what I've done" and "apologised publicly", while he claimed that the punishment the club has already received has been "very hard".

Southampton currently sit 13th in the table, and, despite their points deduction, they are only three points from the play-off places and five points from the automatic promotion spots, but it remains to be seen if Eckert will still be in charge for the South Coast derby against Portsmouth at St Mary's when the action resumes after the international break.

Intriguing Tonda Eckert, Southampton claim made ahead of Spygate decision

Action Images

When discussing the upcoming Spygate verdict, Elek claimed that Southampton may be trying to build sympathy for Eckert with the public through his recent media interviews expressing remorse for his actions, but he admitted that he still expects him to be sanctioned.

"It's been interesting to see Tonda doing a lot of press in the last couple of days," Elek said on the Not The Top 20 podcast.

"He's really sorry.

"If Southampton expected there to be nothing to be done and everyone will move on, I don't see why they would be doing this.

"It feels like there is a real drive to try and build some public sentiment of sympathy towards him, so it's going to be really interesting to see what happens.

"What I think doesn't really matter, but, given the way that Southampton were punished and that the FA findings were that Eckert was responsible, I'd be very surprised if there isn't some kind of punishment.

Southampton will have Tonda Eckert hope ahead of crucial Spygate hearing

Action Images

Eckert is not the only key Southampton figure to have appeared in the media in recent days, with CEO Phil Parsons insisting that any further repercussions from the Spygate saga would be "really tough to take".

Having been denied the chance to participate in the play-off final and compete for promotion to the Premier League, which would have been worth £200 million, as well as being docked four points this season, some will argue that the Saints have already been punished enough, while others will claim that there should be a personal consequence for Eckert after he authorised the spying missions.

A ban for Eckert would risk derailing Southampton's season, so the South Coast outfit will be hoping that the FA will be lenient, particularly after the harsh sanction they were handed by the EFL earlier this year, but the outcome of this week's FA hearing is likely to divide opinion whatever the verdict.