Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs and deducted four points for the 2026-27 seasonByDale Johnson, Football issues correspondent and Dan Roan, Sports editorPublished1 June 2026 New WhatsApp messages have revealed how Southampton orchestrated a spying campaign against their Championship rivals. Junior members of staff told the independent disciplinary commission how head coach Tonda Eckert had placed them "under extreme pressure" to carry out a task they were clearly uncomfortable with and felt was morally wrong. The exchanges are detailed in the written reasons of the League Arbitration Panel, which was appointed to hear Southampton's appeal against being expelled from the Championship play-offs and deducted four points from next season. Saints had pleaded guilty to charges of spying on Oxford United and Ipswich Town in the regular season, and then Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final. In the written reasons of the punishment, Southampton's conduct was described as a "contrived and determined plan from the top down", which head coach Eckert had approved.
Published: June 1, 2026 3:31 pm
Source: BBC — Read original