Eckert takes responsibility for 'Spygate' scandal as Southampton back coach

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/southampton/WdKOwxDM/"]Saints[/a] were thrown out of the Championship play-offs last month after admitting sending a young intern to spy on a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/middlesbrough/6F0lvLNC/"]Middlesbrough[/a] training session.[/p][p]The English Football League said the south-coast club were found guilty of a "deplorable" act of putting pressure on the junior member of staff to spy on Boro.[/p][p]In a damning verdict, the governing body said Southampton boss Eckert authorised the spying.[/p][p]The German, 33, has now put out a lengthy video statement on club media, which began: "I will try to be as honest and clear as I can be.[/p][p][b]"For everything that has happened, I do want to apologise and I hold my hand up because as head coach I am responsible.[/b][/p][p][b]"I am responsible for everything that has happened at this football club."[/b][/p][embed guid="aff427ae-7d98-4877-9bba-62e476cda6aa" url="https://x.com/SouthamptonFC/status/2061719449464352870" social-type="twitter" /][p]Southampton owner Dragan Solak said he was standing by Eckert.[/p][p]The Serbian media mogul admitted Eckert had made a "mistake", but was adamant it should not cost a "super-talented manager" his job.[/p][p]Solak told the [i]BBC[/i]:[b] "I have to believe, honestly, and I believe Tonda, that he didn't know it was the rule that he was breaking."[/b][/p][p]He added: [b]"My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and to be supported by us.[/b][/p][p][b]"I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My first support would be behind him, actually, because I think he is a super-talented manager."[/b][/p][embed guid="06212353-998e-4078-bbf9-9f0bd1b63978" url="https://x.com/SouthamptonFC/status/2061704369112817922" social-type="twitter" /][p]Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to the "unauthorised filming of other clubs' training" sessions.[/p][p]Eckert is not yet totally out of the woods as the Football Association (FA) has launched a probe into the affair and could still charge him, meaning he may face a ban if found guilty.[/p][p]Solak, though, believes that Eckert has been subjected to "a witch-hunt" and the club has been "over-sentenced".[/p][p][b]"My support comes from a very simple legal situation where there is no double jeopardy,"[/b] said Solak.[/p][p][b]"Whatever crime you did, you can be sentenced only once."[/b][/p][p]Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals, were reinstated for the final at Wembley on May 23rd but were defeated by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/hull-city/S66R0t75/"]Hull[/a], who will join [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/coventry/GOvB22xg/"]Coventry[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ipswich/thqhB2MB/"]Ipswich[/a] in the Premier League next year.[/p]