Grimsby Town’s players celebrate defeating Manchester United to win the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup second round match. (Image: PA)
Grimsby Town, who recently made headlines for their stunning victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, are now in the spotlight for fielding an ineligible player during that historic match. The League Two side had one of their most memorable nights when they shocked the Premier League giants, winning 12-11 on penalties after initially leading 2-0. However, a registration blunder involving Clarke Oduor has landed the Mariners in trouble.
On Tuesday morning, it was confirmed that Grimsby had been slapped with a £20,000 fine by the EFL for playing Oduor in that tie – despite him being the only Grimsby player to miss his penalty – as the loanee hadn’t been registered in time. The Mariners have admitted to this administrative error.
They are now required to pay £10,000, with the remaining £10,000 suspended until the season’s end. The Manchester Evening News also understands that neither a replay nor expulsion from the tournament is being considered.
Instead of being kicked out of the competition, Grimsby have been fined and will be allowed to continue in the third round, with Sheffield Wednesday next in line following their unforgettable win over United,.
Here’s everything you need to know on the controversy and a possible replay…
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Final decision on replay
In a statement, the EFL confirmed that Grimsby self-reported their own mistake – and then outlined a punishment for the League Two side. However, the decision hasn’t been universally well-received.
The EFL issued a statement saying: “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 set to face Sheffield Wednesday in the third round on Tuesday, September 16, dashing United’s hopes of a potential reprieve.
Following the fine imposed by the EFL, Grimsby released 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.
“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.”
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Clarke Oduor played despite being ruled ineligible. (Image: Getty)
Grimsby boss reacts
Grimsby head coach David Artell believes nobody can diminish his players’ display following their stunning Carabao Cup triumph over United.
Scandal has engulfed the Mariners during the past week, with the EFL imposing a fine for selecting an ineligible player in their remarkable second-round success.
United are not believed to be considering an appeal against the League Two outfit’s sanction, which led to a £20,000 fine for their administrative blunder.
The Mariners reported the breach themselves – with the EFL announcing their verdict – despite earlier precedent in the FA Cup seeing clubs ejected from the tournament.
“The club has made a statement and I refer them to the statement,” declared 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.”
Grimsby verdicts delivered
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent was among those demanding that Grimsby be kicked out of the tournament, insisting that if Oduor contributed to halting United’s advancement, the club must face consequences.
He declared: “You have to question Grimsby’s place in the competition.”
Meanwhile, Jason Cundy has adopted a comparable position, emphasising that regulations must be adhered to, whilst contending that United shouldn’t receive a second chance while Sheffield Wednesday is handed automatic progression 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 added.
“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].”