'Sorry, I have to rant' - Tonda Eckert has cost Southampton 'not only money but credibility'
Tonda Eckert's actions in the Spygate scandal have stained the reputation of Southampton going forward.
That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The German was handed a suspended six-week ban and a £28,000 fine for his role in the scandal at the end of last season, with the Saints discovered to have spied on several of their opponent's training sessions.
Southampton were thrown out of the Championship play-offs, but decision-makers at St Mary's Stadium decided to stick behind Eckert.
There remained fears that the 33-year-old could well receive a more extensive ban from football, forcing his departure, but his punishment has instead been suspended until the end of next season.
Southampton have started the season inconsistently, but will hope to push back towards the Premier League with the case now behind them.
'Look at what Tonda Eckert has done to his football club'
The incredible sequence of events that saw Southampton thrown out of the play-offs, despite having reached the final, started with an intern caught recording at Middlesbrough's training ground.
The Saints later admitted to having spied on three clubs, and lost out on over £200million of potential earnings when they were subsequently stripped of their chance to return to the Premier League.
"Look what he's done to his football club. It stopped them going to the playoffs and possibly, at that moment in time, they were the team to beat in the playoffs," King told Football Insider.
"Everybody said that they were the team to beat, you know. I'm afraid Mr. Tonda Eckert, for me, this ridiculous situation has cost the football club not only a lot of money, but also credibility.
"It's a good football club. They've been a good football club for many, many years. They've always done things correctly. Whether it's looking after old players, and then you've got this here.
"£28,000 fine - where'd you get that figure from? Six-week ban suspended. I had to laugh at it where it said that if he's involved in more spying, then the ban becomes effective. Excuse me.
"Excuse me for laughing. If I get done for driving, then I'm going to get somebody else to drive the car. Get somebody else to run the football club.
"Football for me, as I've said before. It's gone. Sorry, I have to rant."
Eckert not out of the woods yet
Eckert's suspended ban came after the independent commission considered his co-operation after the spying was discovered.
The FA had proposed a three-month ban but the commission was asked to consider that this would likely cost the German his job, a reason good enough to suspend the ban, they decided.
The FA could still appeal the verdict, however, and seek a harsher punishment for Eckert.
Some have suggested that the governing body will not see the merit in pursuing such action, but it remains to be seen.