A new Tonda Eckert update has come to light from a respected Southampton figure

We are a matter of days away now from Southampton's 2026/27 season kicking off with an EFL Cup showdown against Colchester United.

This should be a time for mass excitement as to what the Saints could pull off this campaign, after being in and around the promotion spaces for so much of the last Championship season.

But, there is a dread in the air that just won't go away regarding Tonda Eckert's future, with the German recently found guilty of three breaches of FA rule 3.1, for his involvement in Spygate.

Since this was dished out to him towards the end of July, it has been radio silence as to whether the 33-year-old will be handed a further touchline ban, or not.

The FA aren't covering themselves in much glory with their continued muteness, with Eckert even going out of his way to watch from the stands during a recent pre-season clash with Preussen Münster, so he can see what his vantage point might have to be in the Championship.

A new update has come to light, though, regarding Eckert and when the full scale of his punishment will likely become public knowledge and it will only irritate Southampton supporters even more...

A new Eckert update has emerged

Adam Blackmore is a well-known and respected figure in Southampton circles.

Currently a commentator on BBC Radio Solent Sport, and a regular interviewer of Eckert, the in-the-know pundit offered a slight update on when the FA's latest decision on Spygate could arrive.

He said, when speaking on Radio Solent on the 5th of August: "I don't think we will hear until September."

This is far from being the positive update Southampton fans would have wanted, with everyone connected to St. Mary's just wanting the dark cloud of Spygate to disappear for good.

If Blackmore is right with this estimation, the Saints will have played four competitive games of the brand-new season, before a fresh verdict has been reached.

It's getting rather ridiculous right now, with no end in sight to the Spygate drama being an issue.

This is getting rather ridiculous now

Of course, devil's advocate here is that if Southampton didn't want this to drag on, they shouldn't have actively spied last season.

Still, the matter with which it's being dragged out now is ludicrous, with Eckert even admitting - during Southampton's pre-season preparations - that he would be "lying" if he doesn't have the weight of an FA ban troubling him at the back of his mind.

Blackmore's word shouldn't be taken as a gospel here, despite his respected aura, so a verdict could come sooner than his September guess.

But, with how long there's been no developments for, it wouldn't be a shock to see a ban be handed out, when the Championship is beginning to get into full flow.

The hope will be, whatever does happen, that the sideline ban is more in-keeping with a six-game penalty, than anything more severe.

All the noise out of Southampton at the moment is that the club is gunning for automatic promotion this season.

It will be a tricky feat to pull off, with the Saints entering into the brand-new campaign with a four point deduction, before you even factor in a touchline ban for their controversial manager.

Yet, all this adversity could make the South Coast titans stronger, with this non-stop drama becoming an afterthought if promotion is triumphantly secured.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow