Grimsby Town have been fined £20,000 by the EFL after fielding an ineligible player in their stunning Carabao Cup victory against Manchester United.
The sanction comes after the club registered Clarke Oduor just one minute past the official deadline. His registration was completed at 12:01 pm instead of the 12:00 pm cut-off on the day before the second-round clash.
Oduor came off the bench during the tie and later missed his spot-kick in the dramatic penalty shootout. Despite that, The Mariners held their nerve to win 12-11 and knock out the Reds in what was one of the shocks of the round.
Half of the fine will be suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season. The EFL confirmed the decision after reviewing the breach and comparing it with similar past cases.
“The club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed,” the statement read.
“Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions taken in respect of offences in the League Cup, the board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent.
“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.”
David Artell’s team now face the rest of their campaign with the fine hanging over them, but the focus remains firmly on continuing their impressive cup journey after an unforgettable win.
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