Southampton uncertainty continues ahead of Portsmouth south-coast derby showdown
Pompey make the short trip to fierce rivals Southampton for the first south-coast derby of the season on Sunday.
Tonda Eckert is preparing his Southampton side for the first south-coast derby of the season, but there’s still no guarantee he will be in the dugout to face Pompey on Sunday.
The head coach is at the centre of the controversy after the Blues’ fierce rivals admitted to spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford United and Ipswich Town last season.
Eckert was subsequently hit with a charge of three breaches of Rule E3.1 by English football’s governing body and addressed a Disciplinary Commission on September 24.
Uncertainty continues for Southampton ahead of Pompey showdown
A significant punishment - including a potentially lengthy ban - looms for the 33-year-old, whose future in the St Mary’s hot-seat remains under the spotlight.
Although there was an initial expectation a verdict would be delivered this week, the FA are still to announce what actions they will take.
Guidelines state there is no official deadline for a decision to be made, though, and the wait will subsequently continue before Eckert learns of his fate.
The ex-Luton Town and Watford head coach has been without a job since June when he was sacked by Wolves following their Premier League relegation.
Tonda Eckert forgiveness
The Championship outfit were expelled from last season’s play-offs and docked four points ahead of the current campaign.