Spygate scandal: Appeal fails, Tonda Eckert facing Southampton sack as FA investigate, player revolt | OneFootball

All the latest news involving the Southampton spying scandal

Southampton have been expelled from the play-offs and handed a four point deduction penalty for spying on Middlesbrough.

Boro alleged that a representative of the Saints had filmed and taken photos of their pre-match training session prior to the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

This led to an EFL hearing earlier this week in which the Hampshire outfit have been removed from promotion contention.

Kim Hellberg’s side are set to take their place in Saturday’s final against Hull City, with a return to the Premier League on the line.

Here we look at all the latest news from the fallout of the decision to expel Southampton from the play-offs…

Southampton lose appeal

Southampton appealed the decision by the independent commission to expel the club from Saturday’s play-off final.

The club were afforded an immediate right to reply, but the appeal has proven unsuccessful despite confidence the decision could be overturned from CEO Phil Parsons.

This means the Saints will have to compete in the Championship next year, missing out on the chance at promotion that the team had earned with a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough in the play-off semi-finals.

The Hampshire outfit will also start next season with a four points deduction penalty, dropping them to the bottom of the table before a ball is even kicked.

Tonda Eckert facing Southampton sack and FA investigation

It has been reported by talkSPORT that Eckert is facing the prospect of an investigation from the Football Association for his role in the Southampton spying case, which could lead to a ban from football.

The English FA are set to consider proceedings against individuals involved in the spying scandal, as they begin their investigation into the matter now that the EFL's hearing has concluded.

It has been claimed by The Times that his position is now considered untenable following Southampton's expulsion from the play-offs, with the 33-year-old facing a lot of anger.

The Saints’ owner, Dragan Solak, is believed to be furious at the scandal embroiling the club, with expulsion from the play-off final costing them the chance to earn £200 million as a result of promotion.

It is also feared that sponsors could pull out of existing deals with the Championship side, which could further cost the club important revenue.

Southampton players consider legal action

According to The Athletic, Southampton players are considering legal action against the club as a result of being expelled from the play-offs.

It is understood that some members of the team took a 40 percent pay cut last year after they suffered relegation from the Premier League.

But players were in line to have their pay reinstated to the previous salaries if promotion was earned, leaving them now to have suffered a possible loss of earnings.

It has been claimed that they have made contact with their union, the Professional Footballers’ Association, regarding next steps.

Harry Redknapp reacts to Southampton’s play-off expulsion

Former Southampton boss Harry Redknapp has claimed the decision to expel the Saints from the play-offs was very harsh, and that he is surprised by the outcome of their hearing.

He criticised the club for their actions, suggesting that the potential gain was not worth the risk of jeopardising their promotion hopes, and that he was only expecting the Hampshire outfit to receive a fine.

“I think it’s very harsh [to expel Southampton], I didn’t see that coming— I thought they would get a heavy fine,” said Redknapp, via the BBC.

“What they have done is so stupid it’s beyond belief.

“What are you learning by someone filming a bit of training?

“What are you learning by watching them train for an hour?

“It was a ridiculous thing to do.

“They have made a big, big error and they have been severely punished— they really have.

“I don’t know how it is going to pan out, we certainly haven’t heard the last of it.

“It’s a crazy situation— I thought they would get a massive fine but to be thrown out of the play-offs is really very severe.”

Leeds United were fined £200,000 for spying on Derby County’s training in 2019, but that incident led to the EFL introducing a rule prohibiting the practice, which has led to the increased severity of punishment for Southampton.