Key facts
- Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert apologized for the 'Spygate' scandal.
- Eckert denies the spying incident impacted the team's sporting performance.
- Southampton owner Dragan Solak previously stated he would not dismiss Eckert.
- Leaked WhatsApp messages implicated Eckert in authorizing a spying campaign against rival clubs.
- An independent commission's report into 'Spygate' was critical of the actions.
Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert has issued an apology regarding the 'Spygate' scandal, which involved allegations of unsportsmanlike conduct and ethical breaches. Eckert, however, denies that the spying campaign against rival clubs, revealed through leaked WhatsApp messages, had any impact on the team's sporting performance. This comes after owner Dragan Solak previously indicated he would not dismiss Eckert. An independent commission's report described the act as 'deplorable,' a criticism Eckert has not directly addressed in his apology.