Less than a week after their historic victory over Manchester United, the League Two club has run into trouble.
Grimsby Town has been penalized by the English Football League (EFL) for fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup second round on August 27.
Grimsby enjoyed one of the most momentous moments in their history last week, knocking 20-time Premier League winners Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup.
The League Two side led 2-0 at one stage owing to goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren, but Bryan Mbeumo’s goal and Harry Maguire’s equaliser brought the match to a penalty shootout at Blundell Park.
Grimsby defeated United 12-11 in penalties, ending Ruben Amorim’s time at the club.
The Mariners have now returned to action, losing 1-0 to Bristol Rovers on Saturday. On Tuesday, it was revealed that the club had “breached the rules of competition” during their victory over United, and they will now face consequences.
The issue is that the EFL fielded “an ineligible player” versus United, as detailed in a statement on its website.
Could Grimsby vs. Manchester United be replayed?
Unfortunately for United fans, the game will not be replayed, as a precedent has already been established for clubs that violate such laws.
Liverpool encountered a similar difficulty in 2019 when they fielded midfielder Pedro Chirivella in a third-round match against MK Dons. The Reds were subsequently fined £200,000.
The announcement from the EFL read: “The EFL Board, serving as the Management Committee of the Carabao Cup, has today fined Grimsby Town Football Club £20,000, of which £10,000 will be suspended until the end of Season 2025/26, for violating the competition’s Rules.
“The infringement involves the Club deploying an ineligible player against Manchester United in a Round Two match on August 27, 2025. Grimsby Town advanced to Round Three with a 12-11 penalty shootout triumph at Blundell Park.
“The reasons leading to this infringement are that Grimsby Town submitted Clarke Oduor’s registration at 12:01 p.m. on the day before the fixture, which is shortly after the 12:00 p.m. deadline required under the 2025/26 tournament rules.
“The Club self-reported the infringement when it was discovered the day after the fixture was concluded.
“Following a thorough analysis of the evidence and taking into account earlier decisions made in relation to League Cup offenses, the Board found that imposing a fine was consistent with precedent.
“The Board further stated that the Club’s noncompliance was not deliberate and had no aim to deceive or mislead. The Club has since taken many steps to avoid a similar incident 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 unlikely to face further punishments provided they follow EFL regulations.
Throughout the League Cup’s history, no club has been expelled.
Grimsby Town reply to the EFL stance.
Grimsby issued their own statement shortly after the news surfaced, blaming the error on a “computer problem”.
The organization submitted the following 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.”
They stated, “We accept the fine issued and fully appreciate the necessity of complying with competition rules and regulations. This error was not intentional, and the Club behaved transparently by self-reporting the breach as soon as it became apparent.
“Since this incident, we have undertaken a thorough review of our processes and implemented strengthened measures to ensure it cannot happen again.”
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