There is one date in Southampton's recent history that will sting for quite some time.
The 19th of May 2026 was the unfortunate date that saw the Saints be expelled from the Championship playoffs, after it had come to light that Tonda Eckert and Co. had been spying on opponents all across the season, three to be precise, which included their semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.
You would think, as we now hurtle towards August, that the wounds from this high-profile incident wouldn't hurt so much, but it's still up in the air as to what Eckert's long-standing punishment will be.
He has now been charged by the FA, as per rule E3.1, but will a touchline ban also arrive at the controversial German's door?
One of the worst possible penalties Eckert could face has been revealed, with Southampton's depressed mood in May potentially resurfacing if this sanction became reality.
Eckert's worst possible punishment
The Telegraph is reporting that one of the German's harshest possible punishments could be a touchline ban of up to six months.
This feels like the most brutal next step the FA could take, with the Telegraph further noting that the Saints are hopeful that any touchline ban will be brief, as opposed to a sweeping restriction.
With Southampton already having to deal with a playoff expulsion, and a four point deduction to come when the first ball is kicked this forthcoming Championship season, they are also upbeat that the FA will factor in these already severe penalties, when possibly handing out another.
Ultimately, at this point in time, nobody truly knows what retribution will be deemed enough for the lingering after-effects of Spygate, but it does feel as if the South Coast outfit have already suffered and learnt their lesson.
Have Southampton not suffered enough?
Indeed, removing the South Coast giants from the playoff picture feels like an acceptable enough punishment in itself, as they were made an example of for their unsportsmanlike conduct.
With a four point deduction also in play come August, handing out yet another whipping feels like retribution for retribution's sake, at this point.
With Eckert also seeming to be genuinely remorseful for his involvement in Spygate - as he was videoed on the club's social media reading out an eight-minute apology - handing out yet more penalties doesn't feel as if it's being done to teach Southampton a lesson. Rather, it's being put together cruelly to crucify an already beaten animal.
Eckert is clearly not worried by all this talk in the media, as he seems to be tunnel-visioned on the upcoming season ahead, with the Saints' transfer activity recently spoken about by the head coach during pre-season.
Yet, the expelled playoff side have been here before in thinking a severe punishment wasn't going to be handed to them, and then their status as an ejected team was revealed.
Fingers crossed another nasty shock isn't heading their way, with the Athletic believing an ban is unlikely.
Southampton fans won't want to fall victim to a false sense of security just yet, however, as they await concrete proof as to what will happen to the constantly slandered German long-term, away from all this rampant speculation.
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