Credit: Imago

Callum O'Connell

Mon 25 May 2026 14:32, UK

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Southampton could face legal trouble with their players in the fallout of spygate as they remain under investigation from the FA as things stand.

The EFL ruling came first, as an independent committee decided to remove the Saints from the play-off final as well as to hand them a four-point deduction next season.

A probe into the events surrounding spygate has since been launched by the FA, and now the PFA could be set to get involved on behalf of their players.

Former Man United assistant manager Mick Brown told Football Insider that Southampton could face legal issues as players will have missed out on bonuses.

Any decision may depend on the outcome of the FA probe when more details are revealed, but having been found guilty, their punishments are unlikely to stop soon.

Could Southampton face new issues over spygate?

Football Insider revealed on 24 May that the FA are investigating Southampton as they continue to look into the individuals involved in spygate.

Further sanction for the Saints are still possible, having admitted to spying on Oxford United and Ipswich as well as Middlesbrough, with more potentially taking place.

However, they could also face legal issues if players would have been owed bonuses for reaching the playoff final and potentially winning the competition.

“Southampton have got massive problems now,” Brown told Football Insider.

“It’s more than just being removed from the playoffs and having that punishment next season, there are still investigations ongoing.

“They’ve left themselves open to face legal trouble from various parties, even the players who could have missed out on bonuses as a result of the club’s actions.

“Because it’s not the players’ faults, they did everything they had to do and got into the playoff final, where they had a good chance of winning the game.

“But the club and the manager, everybody involved in the decision to send people to the other side of the country to spy on training sessions, they’re to blame.

“I’m expecting the PFA to step in at some stage because there will have been an impact on the players, their contracts and their situations there.”

What is next for Tonda Eckert after spygate ruling?

Tonda Eckert is facing growing pressure on his position as Southampton manager in the fallout of spygate and could now be set to lose his job.

The manager has already accepted responsibility for the scandal, and new details are emerging claiming he pushed analysts to carry out the job despite their protests.

As a result, Football Insider revealed on 22 May that Eckert could be sacked by Southampton as “heads will roll” with the punishment already viewed as severe.

The EFL described the incident as “contrived, determined and deplorable”, and if the blame is placed firmly on the boss’ shoulders, his position may become untenable.

The 33-year-old has enjoyed a highly successful spell since replacing Will Still in November, leading his side to the playoff final, but has now soured that situation.