Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has been charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the Football Association.Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-off final in May after admitting to spying on other clubs, with Middlesbrough — who they defeated in the semi-finals — reinstated.Other teams included Oxford United and Ipswich Town. Southampton were additionally given a four-point deduction that applies to the upcoming season in the Championship.However, the FA also launched an investigation into head coach Eckert, and whether the 33-year-old German breached FA Rule E3.1, which centres on bringing the game into disrepute. The rule mandates for “all participants to act in the best interests of the game at all times”.The FA confirmed on Wednesday Eckert had been charged with three breaches of Rule E3.1. “It’s alleged that the head coach acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute by directing and/or authorising the observation of training sessions of Oxford United FC, Ipswich Town FC and Middlesbrough FC ahead of fixtures between these clubs and Southampton FC in December 2025, April 2026 and May 2026 respectively,” an FA statement read.Southampton acknowledged the charges and said the club “remains fully supportive” of Ekert in a club statement.