<p>Saints were thrown out of the Championship play-offs last month after admitting sending a young intern to spy on a Middlesbrough training session.</p><p>The English Football League said the south-coast club were found guilty of a "deplorable" act of putting pressure on the junior member of staff to spy on Boro.</p><p>In a damning verdict, the governing body said Southampton boss Eckert authorised the spying.</p><p>The German, 33, has now put out a lengthy video statement on club media, which began: "I will try to be as honest and clear as I can be.</p><p><strong>"For everything that has happened, I do want to apologise and I hold my hand up because as head coach I am responsible.</strong></p><p><strong>"I am responsible for everything that has happened at this football club."</strong></p><p>Southampton owner Dragan Solak said he was standing by Eckert.</p><p>The Serbian media mogul admitted Eckert had made a "mistake", but was adamant it should not cost a "super-talented manager" his job.</p><p>Solak told the <em>BBC</em>:<strong> "I have to believe, honestly, and I believe Tonda, that he didn't know it was the rule that he was breaking."</strong></p><p>He added: <strong>"My personal opinion, and the opinion of the board, is that he is a manager who deserves to be backed by us and to be supported by us.</strong></p><p><strong>"I think he deserves a second chance and I would give it to him. My first support would be behind him, actually, because I think he is a super-talented manager."</strong></p><p>Southampton will also be docked four points next season after admitting to multiple breaches of regulations related to the "unauthorised filming of other clubs' training" sessions.</p><p>Eckert is not yet totally out of the woods as the Football Association (FA) has launched a probe into the affair and could still charge him, meaning he may face a ban if found guilty.</p><p>Solak, though, believes that Eckert has been subjected to "a witch-hunt" and the club has been "over-sentenced".</p><p><strong>"My support comes from a very simple legal situation where there is no double jeopardy,"</strong> said Solak.</p><p><strong>"Whatever crime you did, you can be sentenced only once."</strong></p><p>Middlesbrough, who lost to Southampton in the play-off semi-finals, were reinstated for the final at Wembley on May 23rd but were defeated by Hull, who will join Coventry and Ipswich in the Premier League next year.</p>