Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg has said he received a phone call from Southampton manager Tonda Eckert to apologise over the Spygate affair.
Southampton were kicked out of the Championship play-off final after being caught spying on a Middlesbrough training session two days before the first leg of the teams' semi-final clash.
On Wednesday, Eckert was handed a suspended six-week ban and a £28,000 fine by the Football Association for his involvement in the matter.
Hellberg looks to move forward
Speaking to BBC Radio Tees, Hellberg said the matter ended once the FA's judgement was delivered. "I get that punishment and then we move on," he said. "I talked to Tonda since that day and he called me and apologised for those things."
Hellberg stressed that the FA's decision was theirs to make, and that Middlesbrough's focus now lies on their own performance going forward.
Second chances and rebuilding
The Middlesbrough boss also indicated he believes Eckert is entitled to a second chance. "Everyone is entitled to a second chance. I try to live by that every day," Hellberg added.
Five months on from the semi-final, during which Middlesbrough lost to Southampton in extra-time of the second leg at St Mary's, Hellberg said he did not wish to revisit the matter. Middlesbrough subsequently lost to Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley and have since rebuilt their squad.
