Grimsby Town has been hit with a significant fine of £20,000 by the English Football League (EFL) after it was discovered they fielded an ineligible player, Clarke Oduor, during their famous League Cup victory over Manchester United.
The incident, which occurred during a match at Blundell Park last Wednesday, saw the governing body opt for a financial sanction rather than the more severe options of expelling Grimsby from the competition or ordering a replay of the match.
The breach was a result of a minor yet costly error: the registration for Oduor, a Kenya defender on loan from Bradford, was submitted just one minute and 59 seconds after the 12pm deadline required by the EFL Cup rules.
Ironically, Oduor, who came on as a 73rd-minute substitute while Grimsby were leading 2-0, was the only player to miss a penalty in the subsequent shootout after Manchester United forced a tie.
Grimsby has accepted the fine, with £10,000 suspended, meaning it will not need to be paid unless the club commits a similar breach this season.
In a statement, the club attributed the error to a computer malfunction and stressed it was an honest mistake, highlighting their transparency in self-reporting the breach as soon as it was discovered.
The club has since reviewed and strengthened its procedures to prevent a repeat.
Manchester United has until Monday to appeal the EFL's decision, though they have so far declined to comment on the matter.
This decision has allowed Grimsby to escape what could have been a much more damaging outcome, ensuring their progression in the competition despite the administrative blunder.
The incident, which occurred during a match at Blundell Park last Wednesday, saw the governing body opt for a financial sanction rather than the more severe options of expelling Grimsby from the competition or ordering a replay of the match.
The breach was a result of a minor yet costly error: the registration for Oduor, a Kenya defender on loan from Bradford, was submitted just one minute and 59 seconds after the 12pm deadline required by the EFL Cup rules.
Ironically, Oduor, who came on as a 73rd-minute substitute while Grimsby were leading 2-0, was the only player to miss a penalty in the subsequent shootout after Manchester United forced a tie.
Grimsby has accepted the fine, with £10,000 suspended, meaning it will not need to be paid unless the club commits a similar breach this season.
In a statement, the club attributed the error to a computer malfunction and stressed it was an honest mistake, highlighting their transparency in self-reporting the breach as soon as it was discovered.
The club has since reviewed and strengthened its procedures to prevent a repeat.
Manchester United has until Monday to appeal the EFL's decision, though they have so far declined to comment on the matter.
This decision has allowed Grimsby to escape what could have been a much more damaging outcome, ensuring their progression in the competition despite the administrative blunder.
