Arabic version: إيكرت يقول إن تجربة «سبايغيت» غيّرت حياته

According to BBC News, Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert said the Spygate scandal has changed his life after he received a six-week suspended ban and a £28,000 Football Association fine.

The 33-year-old spoke publicly for the first time since the FA ruling. Southampton were expelled from the Championship play-offs in May after admitting spying on training sessions involving Oxford United, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough before the play-off semi-final.

An FA investigation into Eckert’s conduct lasted more than four months. The FA had proposed a three-month ban, but an independent commission credited Eckert’s “considerable mitigation”, particularly his “genuine contrition”. The governing body had not confirmed whether it would appeal the ruling.

“It’s tough. It changes your life. If I would say it’s been all easy, it’s not,” Eckert said. He added that, after deciding to continue, “there’s no excuses”.

Eckert said the end of the case also mattered to people close to him. Southampton face Portsmouth on Sunday at 12:00 BST as Eckert and the club seek to focus on performances and their goals for the season.