Grimsby Town have been punished by the English Football League (EFL) after they fielded an ineligible player during the Carabao Cup second round fixture against Manchester United on August 27.
When Grimsby eliminated 20-time Premier League winner Manchester United from the Carabao Cup last week, it was one of the most memorable nights in club history.
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren gave the League Two team a two-goal lead at one point, but goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire tied the score and forced a penalty shootout at Blundell Park.
Ruben Amorim’s time at United reached a new low when Grimsby defeated United 12–11 on penalties, defying all expectations.
Since then, the Mariners have played again, losing to Bristol Rovers 1-0 on Saturday. The team will now be punished after it was revealed on Tuesday that they “breached the rules of competition” during their victory over United.
The issue relates to fielding “an ineligible player” against United, which the EFL elaborated on in a statement posted to its website.
Could Grimsby vs Man Utd be replayed?
Since a precedent has already been established for clubs who violate such rules, the game will not be replayed, which is unfortunate for United supporters.
When Liverpool used midfielder Pedro Chirivella in a third-round match against MK Dons in 2019, they had a similar problem. The Reds were later hit with a £200,000 fine.
The statement from the EFL read: “The EFL Board, acting as the Management Committee of the Carabao Cup, has today fined Grimsby Town Football Club £20,000 – of which £10,000 will be suspended until the end of Season 2025/26 – for having breached the Rules of the competition.
“The breach relates to the Club fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in a Round Two tie on 27 August 2025. Grimsby Town progressed to Round Three following a 12-11 penalty shoot-out win at Blundell Park.
“The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01 pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00 pm deadline required in accordance with the 2025/26 competition rules.
“The Club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed.
“Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the League Cup, the Board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent.
“The Board further noted the Club’s non-compliance was not deliberate with no intention to deceive or mislead. The Club has since implemented several actions to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
“The Club will be liable for the suspended sum of £10,000, if they were to again field an ineligible player in any League Competition between now and the end of Season 2025/26.”
Grimsby are unlikely to face further sanctions if they stay within the EFL regulations.
No club has been expelled from the League Cup in the competitions existence.
Grimsby Town respond to EFL stance
Shortly after the news broke, Grimsby released their own statement in which they put the error down to a “computer problem”.
The club wrote: “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.”
They added: “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 the 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.”
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