2 Dragan Solak statements might save Tonda Eckert from FA ban (yes, really)

Southampton owner Dragan Solak makes a couple of key statements that might go a long way in helping Tonda Eckert’s case in the ongoing FA investigation.

Ever since the Spygate incident broke, the one thing Southampton fans have been waiting for is the club to acknowledge what happened. While several back‑and‑forth statements were made, that need went unmet for a long time.

However, the recent apology from club owner Dragan Solak has taken control of the situation. From addressing the fans in a compact, heartfelt message to acknowledging what they went through, the chairman’s brief note did the job perfectly.

Solak’s message also included the club’s immediate steps for moving beyond the Spygate incident. While addressing the fans and outlining the Saints’ upcoming framework dominated the message, Solak also devoted a significant section to his feelings about manager Tonda Eckert.

To fans’ concern, Solak has backed Eckert ahead of a decisive Championship season. Beyond committing to continue trusting the gaffer, Solak also came to his defence regarding the ongoing FA investigation.

Solak clarifies how Eckert didn’t mean to breach 72-hour EFL rule

While Southampton were charged with multiple spying incidents, their expulsion from the playoff final was largely based on their conduct ahead of the semi‑final against Middlesbrough. Although the incident emerged as the Saints spying on Boro just a day before the first leg, club owner Solak clarified that this was never the intention.

Notably, the 2019 Spygate incident involving Leeds and Derby introduced a 72‑hour clause into the EFL rulebook. Under this regulation, clubs are not permitted to indirectly or directly observe an opponent’s training sessions within three days of the match kick‑off between them.

Although Southampton were charged with breaching this rule, Solak explained how things would have been different if the intern analyst and sporting staff had followed Eckert’s plan.

Speaking to the BBC, Solak said: “If they [went] when they were told, actually, it wouldn’t be an offence. It would be outside of 72 hours. They decided not to go… so they left three days later, [and] went straight into the forbidden time.”

Eckert had asked the intern analyst to visit Middlesbrough’s training session on Monday, 4th May. Since that day fell outside the 72‑hour period ahead of the kick‑off on 9th May, Saints could have defended themselves against any charge, as they were not breaking the code.

With this statement, Solak has defended Eckert by asserting that the manager’s intention was never to go against the rules. Given that gathering information about opponents is common practice in Germany and Italy, Eckert’s conduct was far from what it was portrayed to be.

Solak presents his opinion on the “Pressurising” narrative against Eckert

Apart from the breach of the 72‑hour rule, the most serious charge against Eckert stems from the claim that he exploited junior analysts. Reportedly, he pressured junior staff and interns to help execute his spying mission in order to gain a competitive advantage.

However, Dragan Solak has an entirely different understanding of the matter. Given that the intern delayed the Boro training session expedition by three days, Solak reasoned that the intern must have exercised some authority, as he could delay Tonda’s orders to some extent.

Speaking to the BBC, Solak said: “But one thing is striking me when I’m reading this. They couldn’t really fear Tonda that much if they are so easily able to just not obey the orders.”

This fresh, rational perspective cuts against the narrative of coercion and helps Tonda Eckert’s case by suggesting his intentions were not vile. While his spying mission clearly violated EFL rules, the manager did not force his staff to obey his orders.

Through these statements, Dragan Solak has genuinely helped Tonda Eckert’s case in the ongoing FA investigation. The club are aware of how important the young manager is to their plans and are keen to secure a positive verdict from the FA.