Grimsby Town have been fined £20,000 for fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.
The English Football League (EFL) announced the punishment on Tuesday, stating the League Two outfit failed to register Clarke Oduor in time for their penalty shootout victory over the Red Devils in the second round.
Grimsby self-reported the issue to the EFL
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Grimsby self-reported the issue to the EFLCredit: Getty
Grimsby needed to submit Oduor's registration before 12pm on the day of the fixture.
Instead, the documents were submitted just one minute after the deadline.
Luckily for the giant killing side, the EFL determined the punishment would only be a £20,000 fine, half of which is suspended until the end of the season, rather than being tossed out of the competition entirely.
The remaining half of the £20,000 fine would only come into play should Grimsby field an ineligible player for a second time this season.
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The EFL and Grimsby issue statements on ineligible player saga
In an EFL statement, it was confirmed Grimsby self-reported the infraction the day after they had beaten United in a penalty shootout.
"The Board further noted the Club's non-compliance was not deliberate with no intention to deceive or mislead," the statement added.
Grimsby issued a statement of their own and put down the clerical error to 'a computer problem being experienced' at the club.
"We accept the fine imposed and fully recognise the importance of adhering to competition rules and regulations," the Grimsby statement read.
"This mistake was no deliberate, and the Club acted transparently by self-reporting the breach as soon as it came to light.
"Since this incident, we have undertaken a thorough review of our processes and implemented strengthened measures to ensure it cannot happen again.
A general view of the inside of the stadium during the Sky Bet League 2 match between Grimsby Town and Hartlepool United at Blundell Park, Cleethorpes on Friday 7th April 2023. (Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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The Mariners won't be booted out of the Carabao CupCredit: GETTY
"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."
Grimsby will travel to Sheffield Wednesday for their Carabao Cup third round encounter.
Oduor's nightmare start to life at Grimsby
Following the shock win over United, Oduor was a second-half substitute in a 1-0 loss to Bristol Rovers last Saturday.
Oduor joined Grimsby on loan from League One side Bradford City for the 2025/26 season.
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Unfortunately the Kenya international didn't make the greatest of first impressions as he was the only Grimsby player to have missed from the spot in the marathon shootout against United.
Luckily for the Leeds United product it mattered little as Bryan Mbeumo smacked his second penalty effort against the bar to spark a pitch invasion at Blundell Park.