Grimsby Town has had an incredible few weeks, first defeating Manchester United in the League Cup and now making headlines for using an ineligible player in that historic win.
After establishing a 2-0 lead early in the game, the EFL League Two team upset the Premier League heavyweights and won 12–11 on penalties, making it one of their best evenings ever. But Clarke Oduor’s registration mistake put the Mariners in hot water.
Although Oduor was the only Grimsby player to miss his penalty, it was reported Tuesday morning that the EFL had fined Grimsby £20,000 for fielding him during that match. The loanee had not been registered with the Mariners in time, and the Mariners acknowledged their administrative error.
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. Following their historic victory over United, Grimsby was penalized rather than eliminated from the competition and will be permitted to play in the third round against Sheffield Wednesday.
Final replay decision made
In a statement, the EFL confirmed that Grimsby self-reported their own error – as they then outlined a punishment for the League Two side. However, the decision has not been universally well received.
The EFL said in a statement: “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 release statement
The EFL have since confirmed that Grimsby will face Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday, September 16, ending United’s hopes of a potential reprieve.
After Grimsby were handed their fine by the EFL, the club said in a statement: “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…” as it continued.
The registration of Oduor was submitted to the EFL at one minute past the deadline, and that issue was not immediately identified by the club, due to a computer problem being experienced at Grimsby.
“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 the incident, we have now undertaken a thorough review of our processes and implemented strengthened measures to ensure it cannot happen again.
“We thank the EFL [Football League] 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.”
Grimsby manager reacts…
Following their incredible Carabao Cup triumph over United, Grimsby manager David Artell believes that no one can undo the performance of his team. The Mariners have been embroiled in controversy for the past week after the EFL fined Town for fielding an ineligible player during their incredible triumph in the second round.
The League Two team was fined £20,000 for their clerical error, and it is not believed that United is planning to fight the decision. Although clubs have been eliminated from the FA Cup in the past, it is believed that the Mariners self-reported the infraction, and the EFL made their decision public.
“The club has made a statement and I refer them to the statement,” stated Artell. “From my point of view as head coach, no one can take away that performance. Nobody can. We were the better team for 70 minutes or for 75 minutes. We should have been 3-0 regardless of everything else that has gone off since, and I am extremely proud of the performance of the players, all of the players. I thought we deserved to win the game.
“What happens surrounding that isn’t in my domain [to say] but, like I say, nobody can take away the performance of the players and the manner of the victory, certainly not in my eyes anyway.
“What happened was unfortunate, we owned up, made a statement, let everyone know and we move on.”
Double Grimsby verdict given
Darren Bent, a former Premier League striker, was one of the people who called for Grimsby to be eliminated from the competition, claiming that the team should be punished if Oduor had anything to do with halting United’s advancement. He stated: “You have to question Grimsby’s place in the competition.”
Jason Cundy, meanwhile, has adopted a similar position, emphasizing that regulations must be adhered to while contending that United shouldn’t be given a reprieve while Sheffield Wednesday is given automatic advancement to the following round.
“First off, if you break the rules like that I don’t see how Grimsby can be in the competition, I genuinely don’t,” he said. “It sounds harsh, but if that had happened the other way round, would we say; ‘Nah its fine, £20,000 fine for Man Utd’. Are we now judging it by the club?
“They broke the rules, I’m sorry, you have to leave the competition.
“I don’t think Man Utd should get in either by the way. They got knocked out. What should happen now, whoever they’re facing, they should get a bye. Grimsby should not be in the competition, if there’s a law it should be the same for everyone. Sorry this sounds very harsh, but there’s laws and rules for a reason, and if you break those the punishment has to be. We’ve just seen what happened with Crystal Palace [in the Europa League].”
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