Saints boss Eckert charged by FA over 'Spygate'

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has been charged by the FA with three breaches of Rule E3.1 for misconduct, relating to the 'Spygate' scandal in which a backroom staff member was caught spying on opponents' training sessions. The spying occurred ahead of fixtures against Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough between December and May, with the FA announcing the charges on Wednesday following a confirmation of investigation on May 21. As a result of admitting to the breaches, Southampton were thrown out of the Championship playoffs and handed a four-point deduction for the following season.