Grimsby Town have been punished for fielding an ineligible player in their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United, but United fans will not be happy to learn of their fate
12:19, 02 Sep 2025
GRIMSBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Charles Vernam of Grimsby Town celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025 in Grimsby, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Grimsby have been punished for fielding an ineligible player in their famous win against Manchester United(Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Manchester United won't be handed a Carabao Cup lifeline despite Grimsby Town fielding an ineligible player during their second-round giant-killing triumph.
A registration error involving Clarke Oduor has resulted in The Mariners receiving a fine rather than being booted out of the competition. Oduor joined Grimsby on loan from Bradford City the day before their clash with United. He made his bow against the Premier League giants, fluffing a penalty in the shoot-out after being introduced as a substitute in the second half.
It subsequently came to light that he was registered just one minute past the permitted 12pm deadline on August 26. In a statement, the EFL has acknowledged that Grimsby self-reported the mistake and outlined the sanction for the League Two club.
The 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.
GRIMSBY, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Players of Grimsby Town celebrates victory following the penalty shoot out during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025 in Grimsby, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Grimsby beat Manchester United on penalties in the Carabao Cup(Image: Shaun Botterill, Getty Images)
"The circumstances leading to this transgression are that Grimsby Town submitted the registration of Clarke Oduor at 12:01 pm on the day before the fixture i.e. shortly after the 12:00 pm 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."
Clarke Oduor
Clarke Oduor missed a penalty in the shootout
Grimsby also released their own statement on the issue, which read: "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.
"The registration of Oduor was submitted to the EFL at one minute past the deadline and the issue was not immediately identified by the Club due to a computer problem being experienced at Grimsby. We accept the fine imposed and fully recognise the importance of adhering to competition rules and regulations.
Article continues below
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
"This mistake was not 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.
"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. The Club won't make any further comment on the matter and now looks forward to focusing on preparations for our upcoming fixtures."