The club admitted sending staff to secretly watch Oxford United’s training on 23 and 24 December ahead of their Boxing Day visit to the Kassam Stadium, as well as spying on Ipswich Town in April and Middlesbrough in May 2026.

Tonda Eckert faces three Football Association misconduct breaches (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)

In a statement confirming three misconduct charges against him, the FA said head coach Tonda Eckert “acted in an improper manner and/or brought the game into disrepute” by directing or authorising the covert observations.

At the time of the Oxford game, United were under caretaker boss Craig Short following Gary Rowett’s sacking on 23 December, with uncertainty over whether Short would abandon the back five that had faltered under his predecessor.

Eckert’s analysts concluded from their illicit footage that Oxford were likely to switch systems but Short’s reshaped back four still inspired a 2-1 win over Southampton on Boxing Day.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert (left) speaks to his players (Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

Southampton had gone on to beat Middlesbrough over two legs to reach the Championship play-off final, only to be disqualified and handed a four-point deduction for next season once the spying campaign was exposed.

The scandal came at the end of a difficult Championship season for Oxford, who finished 22nd and were relegated back to League One.

Eckert who has publicly apologised for his role in the scandal now has until Tuesday 28 July to respond formally to the FA’s charges.

The former Arsenal and Premier League midfielder oversaw a 3-1 win in his first match in charge in front of supporters as Oxford came from behind away at Aldershot Town.

Aidomo Emakhu, Gatlin O’Donkor and Jeon Jin-woo scored the goals at the EBB Stadium against the National League side.

The win kicks off the U’s pre-season after a turbulent summer in which Ramsey was hired and the club was hit with a transfer embargo.

United have expressed their desire to keep the current crop of players intact before the end of the window, with the club unable to register any new players.

“That’s a real sign of intent from the owners and the people above,” Ramsey commented regarding Oxford’s commitment to keeping the squad together.

“I’m really pleased about that and excited to get going with this group of players.

Oxford United’s new head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m calm in the situation. I’ve been reassured that this situation will be resolved very quickly.

“There are a few things that need to be put in place now over the next month or so, but I do see that being resolved before then.

“But this group of players have been brilliant and I’m just pleased that I have the opportunity now to really work with them.

“There’s enough quality in there to be competitive and to go places where we want to go this season.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Aldershot 3-1 in Aaron Ramsey debut

READ MORE: Aldershot Town 1-3 Oxford United – Pre-season 2026/27

Oxford United attacker Jeon Jin-woo (Image: Jason Dawson)

“The main thing now is that we all stay together.”

When asked if the club would definitely not make any signings in the summer window, Ramsey replied: “At the moment, no, because we’re in an embargo.”

After going behind, the U’s grew into the game against the Shots, the new boss seeing elements of his game come to the fore such as a high press and playing out calmly from defence.

Oxford United wing back Ruben Roosken (Image: Oxford United)

“We want to win the ball high up, closer to the goal, to have opportunities to score,” the 35-year-old continued.

“It was very pleasing that some of these things come out tonight and some of the boys took them opportunities.

“It’s never going to be straightforward, when you come in and you’re trying to implement your ideas. But we want to be tested.

“I know it’s pre-season and…it’s a bit of a teething process. But there were so many positive clips and bits in the game today that we will show the boys now over the next few days and we can really build on that.

“These challenges that we’re going to face throughout the season, these are good tests and reference points for us to build on that.”