Southampton await FA ruling on Eckert after Larin double against Bristol City

Southampton are still waiting for a Football Association decision on manager Tonda Eckert's misconduct charge, nearly two months after it was brought, according to the Guardian. The unresolved case remained a backdrop to Saturday's victory over Bristol City, when Cyle Larin scored twice and late goals from Kuryu Matsuki and Finn Azaz completed the home side's win.

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The proceedings follow the spying scandal that cost Southampton their place in last season's Championship play-offs. The Guardian reported that photographs showed a junior staff member filming a Middlesbrough training session from behind a tree. Southampton admitted multiple spying offences, including incidents involving Oxford United and Ipswich, and the English Football League expelled them from the play-offs and imposed a four-point deduction.

The EFL's independent panel determined that Eckert had authorised the spying, the newspaper reported. His individual FA case remains unresolved, however, with no punishment yet confirmed. The distinction leaves Southampton continuing under their manager while awaiting the outcome of a separate disciplinary process, after the club has already suffered competition sanctions. The Guardian reported growing frustration among supporters over the time taken to reach a decision.

Southampton have also rehearsed how they could operate if Eckert receives a touchline ban. During a preseason friendly against Preussen Münster, assistant Ben Garner directed the team from the dugout while Eckert watched from the stands, according to the report. That preparation does not establish what sanction, if any, the FA will impose; the eventual decision remains outstanding.

On the pitch, Larin's double against Bristol City took him to eight goals in nine games. His decision to stay was among several summer commitments highlighted by the Guardian: goalkeeper Daniel Peretz made his loan from Bayern Munich permanent, while James Ward-Prowse returned to Southampton. Saturday's attendance of 30,132 was the club's highest of the season, following crowds just below 30,000 against Stoke, Millwall and Swansea.

Eckert acknowledged afterwards that shutting out the pending decision had been difficult, while expressing appreciation for the supporters' backing. The Guardian reported that Southampton would be level on points with the Championship leaders without their four-point deduction. Their early results have therefore kept them competitive despite that penalty, even as the question of further disciplinary action against their manager remains unanswered.