The English Football Association announced on Wednesday that it has formally charged Tonda Eckert, the manager of Southampton, in connection with the spying case that sparked widespread controversy last season.

Reuters reported that the FA believes Eckert agreed to monitor the training sessions of Oxford United, Ipswich Town, and Middlesbrough before their matches against Southampton, which was considered a violation of the competition's regulations.

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An independent disciplinary committee had announced in May that the coach admitted to authorizing this behavior, which led to Southampton's exclusion from the playoff final for promotion to the English Premier League.

After the conclusion of the FA's investigation, Eckert was charged with misconduct for his alleged violation of regulations. The FA, via its official account on platform X, stated that the coach is required to respond to the charges by July 28.

Southampton statement

For its part, Southampton issued a statement acknowledging the charge, saying: 'Tonda and the club will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the English Football Association.'

It added: 'The club will also continue to provide its full support to Tonda and his staff, as we work towards our goal of returning to the English Premier League.'

Southampton had been penalized with exclusion from the playoff final for promotion to the Premier League, described as 'the most expensive in football,' because winning it grants the club promotion to the top flight, along with future financial returns estimated at around £200 million ($268.1 million), after the club admitted to monitoring opponents' training less than 72 hours before matches.

In the wake of the crisis, the German coach Eckert posted an apology on Southampton's social media accounts, emphasizing that watching opponents' training sessions was 'a common practice' in other leagues where he had previously worked.