Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has described the Spygate scandal as something that "changed my life," but says he welcomes the "clarity" that came with Wednesday's announcement of a six-week suspended FA ban and a £28,000 fine.

Eckert admitted three FA charges under Rule E3.1 relating to misconduct connected to Southampton's unauthorised filming of opponents' training sessions. The ban is suspended until the end of the 2027/28 season, meaning he will remain in his post and lead the club into Sunday's Championship derby against Portsmouth.

More than four months of uncertainty

The FA process concluded more than four months after the scandal first broke, a period Eckert described as gruelling. "It's been more than four months now, it's been quite a long time, and you go into a season and you push everyone aside because we have a job to do and we need to deliver," he said.

He was unequivocal in accepting responsibility. "I've made a mistake and I've said that relatively quickly — then I think you have to accept whatever the consequence is," Eckert said. "It's not for me to judge the consequence, so I have to take whatever comes my way."

Eckert acknowledged there was a real possibility the verdict could have ended his time at Southampton. "There was a fair chance the verdict went a different way," he admitted. "Whatever you expect is not necessarily what you get in the end."

Board backing praised

Eckert reserved particular praise for Saints owner Dragan Solak and the Southampton board for standing by him throughout the saga. "There are many football clubs that take a different decision in the summer, and that is what makes this club special," he said. "It will be something to forever be grateful for."

Southampton were expelled from last season's Championship play-off final and handed a four-point deduction for the current campaign after the club admitted multiple breaches involving the covert filming of rivals' training. The EFL's sanctions applied to the club only; the FA then brought separate charges against Eckert personally.

Eyes on Sunday — and promotion

With the matter resolved, Eckert is determined to channel the relief into results. "We make sure we put our foot on the gas on Sunday and don't stop," he said. The club's ultimate objective, he insists, remains an immediate return to the Premier League.

When asked what he would say to those who felt his punishment was too lenient, Eckert offered a single word: "Nothing."

Hellberg: everyone deserves a second chance

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg also weighed in on Thursday, telling BBC Sport Tees that he bears no grudge. Middlesbrough were the third club Southampton admitted to filming — joining Oxford United and Ipswich Town — after a Southampton analyst was discovered recording their training from behind a tree ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final.

"I'm not one to keep a grudge after that," Hellberg said. "He called me, talked to me and apologised for those things. I think everyone is entitled to a second chance and I try to live by that in life every day."

Middlesbrough were reinstated to the play-offs following Southampton's expulsion but lost the final 1-0 to Hull City at Wembley.