SportFootballSouthampton FCNot long after the 'Spygate' scandal resulted in Southampton being disqualified from the play-offs, Saints manager Tonda Eckert has issued an apology09:12, 02 Jun 2026Updated 09:26, 02 Jun 2026Southampton manager Tonda Eckert has asked for forgiveness for the infamous Spygate scandal. The Saints were disqualified from the play-off final after admitting to multiple breaches of EFL rules which included spying on one of Middlesbrough's training session ahead of their play-off semi-final first leg.‌As well as being expelled from the £200million Wembley showpiece against Hull City, the Hampshire side have also been levelled with a four-point deduction which will be implemented next season.‌Junior members of staff at the Saints recently told an independent disciplinary commission that Eckert put them "under extreme pressure" to secretly spy on other sides.‌The saga was described as a "contrived and determined plan from the top down" by the commission. Eckert has since apologised for the saga and asked his players and supporters to forgive him.In a video uploaded by the Saints' social media team, he said: "When I worked in Italy for over four years, every starting line-up that we chosen was always out in the media.‌"That was because our training sessions had always been observed by opponent teams we come up against, Guardiola spoke about this from his time at Bayern Munich."I don't want to say this to explain it but the way I grew up in football, there's different rules in England and the EFL, I should have known them."Article continues belowHe also added: "I am a young coach, I have made a mistake and I take full responsibility. I'd like to thank the board for support in times like this, for everything that I have said, without script and without pretty fine statement, speaking to you from the heart."I hope you have an overview of what has happened and I hope over time you can understand and forgive. I hope to see you soon. I am responsible for everything that happened. I apologise to the players."There will be more to follow on this breaking news story and Mirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible. Please check back regularly for updates on this developing story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Southampton FC