Assuming the FA doesn’t appeal the independent commission’s lenient decision to reprieve Tonda Eckert, Southampton’s head coach can count himself fortunate to escape further punishment for spying on Middlesbrough, Oxford United and Ipswich Town. A fine of £28,000 and suspended six-week ban is certainly a reprieve for the individual who devised the spying plan. It wasn’t the club’s plan. It was Eckert’s. Eckert can count himself fortunate to have a supportive owner in Dragan Solak and such a supportive fanbase, who defended him despite the damage to the reputation of their respected 140-year-old club. It’s what fans do. Passionately defend those who represent them. A price has certainly been paid. The club lost heavily in prestige, opportunity and potential riches with the EFL’s decision to remove them from last season's Championship play-off and deduct four points from the start of this season. A price will continue to be paid in the chants of opponents - Portsmouth fans visiting on Sunday - and in the depicting of the club as Wrexham’s co-owners have already done. Southampton fans have a point when highlighting the cheating scarring the game - from on-field diving to breaches of financial regulations. Just as the media highlights such excesses and calls on the authorities to take action. Part of the shock with Spygate is that you'd never associate such acts with a club like Southampton. They were a club associated historically with doing things the right way. It was one individual. By all accounts, and on the evidence of this season, Eckert is a very talented coach. Solak clearly rates him very highly, one reason he has stuck by him. Saints players clearly like him and respond to him. Eckert didn’t need to stoop to spying. He's good. The commission noted Eckert’s contrition which seems genuine. Let’s hope Eckert understands his damaging error of judgement, appreciates how lucky he is to have such a supportive owner and fans, and can now focus on rebuilding his reputation and a promising career. The broader problem here for football generally is that the FA – which failed in its push for a three-month suspension – finds its disciplinary process weakened, certainly in contrast to the EFL’s. The club has been significantly punished but there has been no additional punishment of note for the individual who devised the plan. That’s a precedent that other clubs will surely highlight when defending disrepute charges from the FA. #SaintsFC