Grimsby fined for fielding an INELIGIBLE player vs Manchester United in Carabao Cup giant-killing | OneFootball

Clarke Oduor was registered after the deadline and missed his penalty in the shootout

Grimsby Town have been fined for fielding an ineligible player in their famous win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

The Mariners last week became the first fourth-tier side in history to beat the English giants in a competitive game.

However, it has since emerged that loanee Clarke Oduor was not registered in time to play the second-round clash.

Odour was registered one minute after the 12pm deadline set the day before the game. The club self-reported the breach after the giant-killing upon discovery of their mistake.

The 26-year-old came on in the 76th minute, when Grimsby were 2-0 up, and could not prevent United equalising in injury time.

The match went to a penalty shootout, and Oduor was the only Grimsby player to miss his spot-kick as the Mariners triumphed in sudden death.

Grimsby have been fined £20,000, of which half will be suspended until the end of the current season.

An EFL statement read: "The EFL Board, acting 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 having breached the Rules of the competition.

"The breach relates to the Club fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in a Round Two tie on 27 August 2025. Grimsby Town progressed to Round Three following a 12-11 penalty shoot-out win at Blundell Park.

"The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00pm deadline required in accordance with the 2025/26 competition rules.

"The Club self-reported the breach upon discovery the day after the fixture had been completed.

"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.

"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."