Manchester United’s rumored hopes of receiving a reprieve have been dashed as the EFL has confirmed that Grimsby Town will travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday, September 16.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw after ninety minutes, United lost to the League Two team on penalties last Wednesday night, sending them out of the competition. At Blundell Park, Grimsby took a 2-0 lead before Harry Maguire and Bryan Mbeumo scored for the Reds to force a penalty shootout.
Mbeumo missed the game-winning 26th penalty kick that would have advanced the tenacious fourth-tier team to the next round, but the Mariners managed to maintain composure and defeat United 12-11 from 12 yards.
On Tuesday morning, however, it was revealed that Grimsby had been fined £20,000 by the EFL for fielding an ineligible player during the game. The Mariners later acknowledged that they made a clerical error when they failed to register Clarke Oduor, the only Grimsby player to miss his penalty, in time for the match.
They now have to pay £10,000. The remaining £10k will be deferred until the end of the season. MEN Sport believes that neither a replay nor their elimination from the competition is being considered.
Any hope that United would be given another chance has already been dashed as the EFL has announced the schedule for the third round of the Carabao Cup, which includes Grimsby.
On Tuesday, September 16, at Hillsborough Stadium, the Mariners will play Wednesday, who defeated Leeds United on penalties in the previous round. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m.
“Grimsby Town Football Club acknowledges today’s decision by the EFL regarding an error in the registration of Clarke Oduor ahead of our Carabao Cup Round Two fixture against Manchester United,” the club said in a statement following the EFL’s fine against Grimsby.
Due to a computer fault at Grimsby, the club did not immediately recognize the mistake when Oduor’s registration was sent to the EFL one minute past the deadline.
“We accept the fine imposed and fully recognise the importance of adhering to competition rules and regulations. This mistake was not deliberate – and the club acted transparently by self-reporting that breach as soon as it came to light.
“Since this incident, we have undertaken a thorough review of our processes and implemented strengthened measures to ensure it cannot happen again. We thank the EFL board for recognising our co-operation and intent, and we remain fully committed to maintaining the highest professional and regulatory standards.
“The club won’t make any further comment on the matter and now looks forward to focusing on preparations for our upcoming fixtures.”
Some have since called for United to get either a replay or a reprieve into the Carabao Cup, though it appears any lingering prospect of a U-turn has been ended.
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