Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has called for an end to the Spygate saga after Southampton counterpart Tonda Eckert was handed a fine and suspended ban. Hellberg revealed he received a personal apology from Eckert months ago and said the focus must now be on Boro's season, with the team sitting third in the Championship.

The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday that Eckert has been fined £28,000 and given a six-week ban, suspended until June 2028, for his role in the scandal. Southampton were expelled from last season's play-offs after admitting a staff member spied on Middlesbrough's training sessions before their semi-final, a tie Saints went on to win. The FA's independent commission noted Eckert's "genuine contrition".

Hellberg's call to move forward

Speaking to reporters, Hellberg said the matter is closed for him and the club. "I think for us and for me, it ended after the judgement in the first one," he stated. The Swede confirmed Eckert had telephoned him to apologise. "I'm not want to keep a grudge after that," Hellberg added, emphasising his belief in second chances. He said the disciplinary outcome was for the authorities and Southampton to deal with, while Middlesbrough must channel all energy into their own campaign.

"He called me and apologised," Hellberg said.

Now we look forward," he said.

With the off-field issue resolved, attention turns fully to the pitch. Hellberg's side are firmly in the promotion mix, occupying third place with 15 points from eight games. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one defeat from the last five, a sequence you can review on our standings page. The immediate challenge is a top-of-the-table clash at the Riverside Stadium this weekend against fourth-placed Wolves. A full rundown of the run-in is available on our fixtures list.

Southampton, who received a four-point deduction at the start of this season over the spying incidents, issued a statement hoping the verdict draws a line under a "regrettable period". The club's statement read, "We accept the findings of the independent regulatory commission and are pleased this matter, which relates to historical events, is now fully resolved."

The two clubs are scheduled to meet again in the league on November 27. For now, Hellberg's message is clear: it's time to move on. Middlesbrough host Wolves on Saturday aiming to strengthen their automatic promotion credentials.

More detail at bbc.co.uk