FA to break 'precedent' with Tonda Eckert's Southampton ban - Keith Wyness
The Football Association will be going against their own pre-established principles if they decide to ban Southampton manager Tonda Eckert.
That is according to former Everton chief executive and ex-Premier League board member Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the FA are likely to bow to "public outcry" over the Spygate saga.
This comes after Eckert was subject to an FA hearing last week, with a ban from football expected to be the likely punishment.
However, Wyness believes that Southampton have already been punished enough for their wrongdoing, after they were expelled from the Championship play-offs last season.
Eckert now faces an anxious wait to find out the final verdict from the FA, which could even potentially put his job with the Saints at risk.
Wyness believes that the 33-year-old could be used as an example by the FA, despite the previous punishment that was dished out to Marcelo Bielsa.
FA going against Leeds precedent with Tonda Eckert
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that the FA will break the "precedent" that they set for themselves if they ban Eckert.
The Scottish businessman pointed to the fact that Leeds United and their boss Bielsa only faced a fine when they were found guilty of spying on Derby County back in 2019.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness was adamant that a ban would be too harsh a punishment for Eckert.
"I think you've got to draw a line between: is he an employee of the club, and the club's already been penalised, or do we have to then penalise every single employee of the club?" He said.
"There's a bit of a grey area there, but of course I think you know my feelings about the FA disciplinary groups. I think they're inadequate, and unfit for purpose.
"Saints had a points deduction this season to handle as well, which they seem to have handled quite well. I wish them luck to try and get back up because that would be one Herculean effort and would be incredible if they could do it.
"But I hope we can finally draw a line under this unhappy episode. Don't forget, Bielsa only got a fine before.
"If you try and look at precedent, there is a precedent there, but they've chosen to forget that because of the public outcry."
What is the threshold for Tonda Eckert being sacked?
Wyness previously told Football Insider in July that Southampton will be forced to sack Eckert if he receives anything more than a three-month ban.
Saints' owner Dragan Solak has been sustained with his support of his manager, but Wyness feels that it could be taken out of his hands if Eckert is suspended for a prolonged period.
He made it clear that the team and the club would not be able to function without a manager at the helm for any longer.
The final verdict from Eckert's hearing is still awaited, but it could potentially have huge connotations for Southampton at all levels.