Cambridge United boss Neil Harris says every manager in the EFL agrees that Tonda Eckert should get a huge ban over Spygate.
It comes with the hearing set to get underway on Thursday, charged with three breaches of FA Rule E3.1 in relation to misconduct between December 2025 and May 2026.
The Saints were removed from the Championship playoff final and handed a four point deduction for the 2026/27 season.
Sky Sports report that we can expect to learn the outcome from the hearing before the end of the international break.
‘Whatever punishment he gets needs to be severe.’
Cambridge United boss Neil Harris says every manager in the Football League agrees that Tonda Eckert should get a huge ban for Spygate ❌#BBCFootball #SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/KZJMVywvim
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 23, 2026
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) September 23, 2026
Neil Harris said when appearing on the latest episode of BBC 5 Live Sport’s 72+: The EFL Podcast:
“Probably on behalf of myself, but also every other manager in the Football League. I put a lot of fans as well that what happened is, is bouldering disgraceful.
“Listening to sort of CEO talking about they’ve been punished enough as a football club.
“Yeah. And I agree with the football club, Southampton Football Club and a fan base and then the work have been punished hugely.
“Tonda’s owned it and said that it was his decision to spy and send a junior member of staff. He’s owned it, the club have decided to stick with him.
“The manager should get a ban and get a huge ban in my opinion, as a senior football man in this country.
“He’s gone way across the mark of cheating. We don’t do that in this country. There’s no place for it in the game over here and he deserves a ban.
“I’ve seen a couple of bits recently where they talked about, it should be like a two to four game ban, three game ban, maybe four maximum. And we’re talking about basically cheating and trying to gain an advantage on the opponent.
“So as you can tell, I feel quite strong with it. And it’s not just me, every manager in the football league agrees.
“So I think whatever punishment gets needs to be severe and it needs to be stamped out and can’t happen again.”
Tonda Eckert and Phil Parsons speak out ahead of FA verdict on Southampton’s Spygate scandal
Meanwhile, Sky Sports this week asked fans from all 24 Championship clubs whether Tonda Eckert should receive additional punishment.
It found that fans of 23 clubs felt he should, the one who said he shouldn’t was Southampton supporters.
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Social media users gave their thoughts after Neil Harris says every manager in the EFL agrees that Tonda Eckert should get a huge ban…
@dcbovivet: “We don’t do that in this country “. Naive arrogant idiot. Every game, EVERY game , players dive, cheat, try to get others booked and sent off to gain advantage. No we don’t cheat in this country do we. Its a filthy twisted game I no longer enjoy.
@Tactic_Board: I’d bet my house that any manager crying about cheating in this case wouldn’t think twice about claiming for a pen when his players goes down dramatically, claiming for a throw-in or corner when they know it’s not. It’s all cheating, but some cheating is accepted.
@OwlsReborn: There’s a set of rules called “laws of the game”, the horrifically bad comparison of oh what if a player dives etc, under the laws of the game, the referee deals with that during the game. However, those rules are enforced by the EFL. For rule breaks OUTSIDE of a game, the FA has the authority and responsibility to take action against individuals. The club have been dealt their punishment by the EFL. Now it’s the FA who are going after individuals for their personal conduct.
@SaintsMarching_: Really unsure what Tonda Eckert’s fate is going to be. Feel as if a touchline ban would suffice, but so many people continue to bay for blood, Neil Harris now included #SaintsFC
@wheatmann5477: Brilliant from Neil Harris. Letting everyone know this isn’t a #Boro agenda but everyone in the EFL feels this cheat needs to be gone from the English game.
@Red_Diaboli: Not even a saints fan, but this is now boring. The club have been punished enough, so has the fanbase, Tonda too. Time to move on
@stuhardy1979: Bloody hell, that’s a statement and a half. Personally, i think Southampton have been punished adequately. Give the lad a fine or a suspended sentence, and move on.
@Martintaylor66: I’m a saints fan and yes he should be punished – all I ask is that this and the EFL punishment is remembered and the same levels applied for anything similar or untoward in the future
⛔️ “𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑-game ban” – Keith Wyness drops Tonda Eckert bombshell amid Southampton verdict latest. pic.twitter.com/wep0NNvCT3
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) September 23, 2026
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