Southampton boss Tonda Eckert has been given a suspended six-week ban by the FA over his role in last season’s Spygate scandal.The 33-year-old was hit with three breaches of the FA’s spying rules in July – relating to games against Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough.Eckert was appointed at Southampton in November 2025 – winning 30 of his 50 matches in chargeGettyAs well as the suspended ban, Eckert has been fined £28,000, a decision welcomed by Southampton. Southampton statementThe Championship club said: “Southampton Football Club welcomes the outcome of the FA hearing into the events at the end of last season.“We hope this now brings a conclusion to a regrettable period of our history and measures have been put in place to ensure that such errors in judgement never happen again at our club.We want to take this opportunity to thank the supporters for their unconditional backing throughout this process. “Our fan base is unmatched, and we are excited to move forward together towards a bright future.”Owner Dragan Solak also welcomed the decision but aimed a parting dig at the EFL as he heaped praise on the FA’s process.Solak said: “I’m pleased that the independent panel has come to a decision and that we have an outcome. We have already suffered enough, and we appreciate the panel’s recognition of that.“We are confident the manager has learned from this matter, and a suspended sentence allows him to continue in his role. “I firmly believe that Tonda is one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches, and with this distraction removed, I am confident he can lead the team to a successful season. “I’d like to thank our fans for standing by us and showing the team so much support during a time when we have needed them more than ever.Saints intern Will Salt was caught spying on a Middlesbrough training session“The FA process has been a positive experience. Tonda has been given the opportunity to be open and honest with the panel, and the panel has been able to see that he is simply a good person who made poor decisions. “The same cannot be said for the EFL process, and the way they have subsequently treated us is not something we will forget. However, now is the time to look forward to what I believe will be a great future for our club.”Why was Tonda Eckert charged by the FA?Ahead of the Saints’ Championship play-off semi-final first leg away at Boro, the club’s spying offences came to the media’s attention.It was revealed that an analyst intern, who was later offered a permanent job after the scandal came to light, had been filming a Boro training session, with two further spying incidents then coming to light.Southampton would beat Boro over two legs to seal a shot at securing an instant return to the Premier League.But they were eventually kicked out from the play-offs, with the south coast outfit handed a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 campaign.Southampton won the play-off tie but were subsequently denied a spot in the play-off final with Boro taking their placeGettyAnd Eckert has now received his punishment to finally bring an end to the Spygate scandal.What punishment has Tonda Eckert received?Eckert, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, has escaped without receiving an actual ban, and he has been fined £28,000.The German will only be suspended from football if he reoffends. His side were already punished through play-off expulsion and a four-point deduction for the 2026/27 campaign before Eckert’s case was heard. talkSPORT verdictThis will be considered a good result for Saints with Eckert effectively not receiving any sporting punishment. Speaking on the verdict, talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook said: “I think the chances of any Southampton employee or any employee of any other club being caught spying on opponents anytime soon is pretty remote. Eckert’s side are hoping to mount an assault on promotion again this term. They have won four of their eight league gamesGetty“Given, as I say, they lost their place in the play-offs. They started this season with a four-point penalty as well. I think a lot of rival fans will feel that Tonda Eckert has got off lightly.“My personal opinion is that if he was going to be banned from the touchline and banned from being the manager, that should have happened before the season kicked off. “I think it would have brought the league into disrepute if all of a sudden you suspend a manager X amount of games into the season.”How has Southampton performed this season?Despite starting the season bottom of the table and four point adrift of their rivals, Southampton currently sit in 13th spot after eight games.Eckert has overseen four wins and two draws, though the Saints went into the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Wrexham.The Welsh outfit trolled Southampton in the build-up to the match, with Eckert failing to see the funny side.Southampton will be looking to get back to winning ways after the break, as they host bitter rivals Portsmouth at St Mary’s on Sunday, October 11.