Southampton boss Tonda Eckert walks out of press conference after ‘spygate’ questioning

Tonda Eckert walked out of Southampton’s press conference following his side’s victory in the Championship play-off semi-final against Middlesbrough after being quizzed further on ‘Spygate 2.0.’

Saints edged out Middlesbrough 2-1 in extra time to advance to the play-off final where they are set to face Hull on 23 May in what has become known as the richest game in football, with promotion to the Premier League at stake.

But the semi-final tie has been overshadowed after an EFL investigation was launched over a misconduct charge in what has become a scandal to conclude the 2025/26 Championship season.

Middlesbrough accused Southampton of snooping on a training session before the first leg on Teesside, which resulted in a goalless draw, while Saints are yet to deny the accusations.

And with Southampton asking for time to conduct an internal review into the circumstances of ‘spygate’ after being charged with breaching EFL regulations, Eckert was grilled by the media over the details.

Eckert said: “It’s not easy for me to not comment. There’s just nothing that I can say at the moment because it is an ongoing investigation.

“We’re taking the matter very seriously and I will say something. I just can’t say it now.”

Eckert was then pushed over how his fellow manager Kim Hellberg felt “sad and disgusted” by the allegations, while bemoaning how the scandal has taken over the narrative surrounding the tie.

“I will say something. It’s just not the moment now,” he added. “I think this whole matter is overshadowing two games.

“I would hope that the way we speak about that gives credit to the quality of the games and when the investigation is closed I will say something.”