Tonda Eckert has finally received his verdict from the FA: a six-week suspension from football, to be served at the end of this season, and a £28,000 fine.
He waited months for the decision, and that delay must have been a sentence in itself as he faced the uncertainty of his fate.
Saints paid a huge price for Eckert’s spying on Middlesbrough, losing their place in the play-offs and the chance of a £250 million pay-day.
Yet it should not be forgotten what a remarkable job he did last season.
Under his leadership Saints hardly dropped a point, surged into the play-offs, and produced football of a quality we had not seen in years.
To his credit, Eckert held up his hands, accepted guilt, and took full responsibility for the so-called spying offences.
Now, with his punishment confirmed, he can finally put all his energy into getting Saints back to the level they reached last season, when they nearly beat Manchester City in the FA Cup and were favourites to win the Championship play-off.
Saints players and fans can now look forward to concentrating on the football ahead, with hope restored that the club can have a strong season and once again challenge for a place in the Premier League.
Quietly, many will feel relieved that the FA saw sense and delivered a punishment that was firm but fair.
And they will be equally relieved that the long-held fears over Eckert’s future have at last been settled, ending months of anxiety over what could have been a far harsher outcome.
Paddy Maxwell, Lordshill
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