Grimsby Fined for Fielding Ineligible Player but Allowed to Stay in Carabao Cup
Grimsby Town have been fined £20,000 by the EFL after fielding ineligible player Clarke Oduor in their dramatic Carabao Cup second-round win over Manchester United.
The League Two side stunned United last week, edging past them 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park. Grimsby had raced into a 2-0 lead before goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire forced spot-kicks. In a tense shootout, Mbeumo missed the decisive 26th penalty to seal the upset.
However, it later emerged that Oduor, who was the only Grimsby player to miss from the spot, had not been registered in time for the fixture. The Mariners admitted the administrative error, explaining that his paperwork was submitted one minute late due to a computer issue.
The EFL have handed down a £20,000 fine—half of which is suspended until the end of the season—but confirmed that Grimsby will not face expulsion or a replay. Manchester United, who had faint hopes of being reinstated, have been denied a reprieve.
The third-round draw has since been confirmed, with Grimsby set to travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:45pm. Wednesday themselves advanced after defeating Leeds United on penalties in the previous round.
In a club statement, Grimsby accepted the punishment:
“Grimsby Town Football Club acknowledges today’s decision by the EFL regarding an error in the registration of Clarke Oduor. 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 as soon as the breach came to light.”
