Grimsby fielded INELIGIBLE player against Man Utd in Carabao Cup giant-killing

GRIMSBY'S historic League Cup giant-killing of Manchester United came with the League Two side fielding an ineligible player.

The Mariners enjoyed the biggest night in their history as they became the first-ever fourth tier side to knock the Red Devils out of an English cup when they beat them on penalties in the second round last week.

3 Clarke Oduor was registered by the club one minute after the EFL's registration deadline Credit: Getty

3 Man Utd's shock defeat to Grimsby in the League Cup came with the League Two side fielding an ineligible player Credit: Getty

3 Manchester United's defeat was perhaps the most humiliating in their history Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

But Grimsby have admitted that midfielder Clarke Oduor was ineligible for the match.

This was because he was registered to play one minute AFTER the EFL 's 12pm deadline the day before the game.

Odour, 26, came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute of the match.

He also featured in the shootout, and was the only Grimsby player to miss from 12 yards, which ultimately came down to Bryan Mbeumo crashing a shot against the crossbar.

His ineligibility was not immediately identified by the club due to a "computer problem" they experienced.

The club later self-reported the oversight to the EFL, and have subsequently accepted the punishment levelled at them for the transgression.

However, they will NOT be booted out of the tournament following a "comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the League Cup ".

Instead, the EFL have imposed a fine of £20,000 - £10,000 of which is suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season - for breaching the rules of the competition.

Had this breach occurred in the FA Cup , precedent dictates the club would have been thrown out of the tournament with United being reinstated.

Barnsley were removed from the FA Cup in 2023 for fielding an ineligible player against Horsham - with Horsham then reinstated.

Guernsey have already been expelled from this season's FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player against Bedfont in the extra preliminary round.

But in the EFL Cup, clubs have previously self-reported ineligible players starring in games and been allowed to keep their place.

Liverpool were hit with a £200,000 fine in 2019 for fielding Pedro Chirivella in their third-round clash against MK Dons, with that breach coming because of challenges encountered when trying to secure the Spaniard's international clearance earlier in the season.

Grimsby's statement on the decision said: "Since this incident, we have undertaken a thorough review of our processes and implemented strengthened measures to ensure it cannot happen again.

"We thank the EFL Board for recognising our co-operation and intent, and we remain fully committed to maintaining the highest professional and regulatory standards."

IN

TOTAL - £214.5m

OUT

TOTAL - £40m

The EFL said: "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."

Man Utd declined to comment when contacted by SunSport, but have five days to potentially appeal the decision.

Competition rules state a "club will have the right to appeal the penalty imposed by the management committee or any decision of a Disciplinary Commission".

According to BBC Sport , United were informed of the organisation's decision on Monday.

After the stunning result, Grimsby went on to lose their following game at home to Bristol Rovers.

Meanwhile, United just about bounced back with a 3-2 win over Burnley at Old Trafford , although an injury-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes was needed to earn the three points.

After the international break the Red Devils take on Manchester City and then Chelsea before a visit to Brentford .

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