New Delhi: Grimsby Town have been fined by the EFL for fielding an ineligible player in their stunning victory over Manchester United in the EFL Cup last week. League 2 side Grimsby, who compete in the 4th tier of English football, shocked Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United in their EFL Cup 2025-26 opener by beating them on penalties after a 2-2 draw between the two teams.
Their stunning defeat became one of the major talking points in world football as United’s struggles were left exposed once again in the ongoing season. However, it has now been revealed that the club fielded an ineligible player during the game and have been fined £20,000, with £10,000 suspended until the end of the season.
The player in question is Clarke Oduor, who was not registered in time for the clash against Manchester United, but went on to make his debut for Grimsby against the Premier League giants. Odour signed for Grimsby on loan from Bradford City a day before their match against Manchester United.
He came on as a substitute during the match and missed his penalty during the shootout. Grimsby had to register the player before the permitted deadline of 12 PM, however, Oduor was registered by the club at 12.01 pm on the day before the match, slightly after the deadline.
In a statement, EFL confirmed that Grimsby self-reported the breach after it was discovered by the club. They also explained that the fine of £20,000 levied on them is in accordance with punishments levied on clubs for such offences in the past. The suspended fine of £10,000 will be triggered if Grimsby field an ineligible player again in the EFL Cup.
“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,” EFL said in a statement.
“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,” it added.
Will Manchester United get a rematch in Carabao Cup?
No, Manchester United will not get any reprieve despite Grimsby Town getting penalised for fielding an ineligible player in their win over Amorim’s men. Grimsby will only have to bear the financial penalty for the breach, and will be allowed to compete further in the EFL Cup.
First-half goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren helped Grimsby draw 2-2 against United in regular time, before they beat the Premier League giants on penalties to secure one of their most famous wins and knock them out of the tournament.