Grimsby were fined 20,000 by the EFL for fielding an ineligible player during their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United as the controversy drags on
Grimsby Town have been making waves this past month, first by defeating Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and now for fielding an ineligible player during that historic match.
The EFL League Two team had one of their most memorable victories when they shocked the fallen Premier League giants, winning 12-11 on penalties after initially leading 2-0 only for Ruben Amorim’s flops to pull it back to 2-2. However, a registration mishap involving Clarke Oduor has landed the Mariners in trouble.
On Tuesday morning, it was revealed the EFL had slapped Grimsby with a £20,000 fine for playing Oduor in that match – despite him being the only Grimsby player to miss his penalty – as the loanee hadn’t been registered in time. The Mariners have acknowledged their administrative mistake.
They are now required to pay £10,000, with a remaining £10,000 suspended until the season’s end. The Manchester Evening News understands there are no plans for a replay or expulsion from the tournament. Instead of being kicked out, Grimsby have been fined and will continue in the third round, facing Sheffield Wednesday following their unforgettable victory over United. Here’s the lowdown on the controversy.
Final decision on replay made
In a statement, the EFL confirmed Grimsby self-reported their own error, leading to a penalty for the League Two side. However, the decision hasn’t been universally well received.
The EFL stated: “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’s response
The EFL has confirmed Grimsby will go head-to-head with Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday, September 16, dashing United’s hopes of a possible reprieve.
Following the fine imposed by the EFL, Grimsby released a statement, which read: “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.”
Oduor’s registration was submitted to the EFL one minute past the deadline, a fact that wasn’t immediately recognised by the club due to a computer glitch at Grimsby.
The statement continued: “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 responds
Grimsby chief David Artell believes nobody can diminish his squad’s display following their stunning triumph over United, despite the ensuing scandal.
He said: “The club has made a statement and I refer them to the statement. 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 delivered
Former Premier League striker Darren Bent was among those demanding Grimsby be kicked out of the competition, contending that if Oduor played any role in halting United’s advancement, the club should face consequences.
He said: “You have to question Grimsby’s place in the competition.”
Meanwhile, fellow TalkSport presenter Jason Cundy has adopted a similar position, emphasising that regulations must be adhered to, but contending that United should not be handed a lifeline while Sheffield Wednesday are awarded automatic progression to the next stage.
“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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