Is spying really that common in German football, as Southampton claims?

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert recently claimed that spying on opponents' training and tactics is a widespread practice in German football. BBC Sport investigated whether this claim holds true.

Southampton manager Tonda Eckert recently made a claim that spying on opposing teams' training sessions and tactics is a common phenomenon in German football. The statement generated waves of discussion both in England and across continental Europe.

Eckert, who has worked at several German clubs throughout his career, confirmed that such practices have existed there for a long time. According to him, this is not necessarily regarded as unethical but rather as part of professional preparation.

BBC Sport investigated the background of the issue, interviewing former players and coaches with experience in German football's top leagues. Several sources confirmed that monitoring opponents' training sessions is not uncommon there, particularly before important matches.

German football culture is known for its analytical and tactical approach. According to experts, information about opponents is always highly valued there, and some clubs have invested significant resources in intelligence analysis.

The question of whether such conduct is ethical and compliant with the rules remains open. UEFA and FIFA do not directly prohibit watching public training sessions, but spying on closed training sessions can raise serious ethical concerns in professional sport.