Jason Cundy has become the latest pundit to demand Grimsby Town be expelled from the Carabao Cup after fielding an ineligible player during their stunning triumph over Manchester United - though he doesn't believe the Red Devils should benefit from reinstatement. Grimsby fans savoured one of the greatest evenings in their club's history as they shocked the Premier League heavyweights, ultimately prevailing 12-11 on spot-kicks having led 2-0 earlier in the match. Nevertheless, an administrative blunder concerning Clarke Oduor has plunged the Mariners into controversy.
Rather than facing ejection from the tournament, they have received a fine and granted permission to participate in the third round, where Sheffield Wednesday await. Darren Bent has joined those demanding Grimsby's removal from the competition, arguing that if Oduor played any part in derailing United's aspirations, sanctions must follow. The former England striker said: "You have to question Grimsby's place in the competition."
Cundy has now adopted a comparable position, insisting regulations must be respected - though United shouldn't receive a second chance, with Sheffield Wednesday instead advancing automatically.
He told talkSPORT: "First off, if you break the rules like that I don't see how Grimsby can be in the competition, I genuinely don't. It sounds harsh but if that had happened the other way round, would we say: 'No, its fine, £20,000 fine for Man Utd'? Are we now judging it by the club? They broke the rules. I'm sorry, you have to leave the competition.
"I don't think Man Utd should get in either by the way. They got knocked out. What should happen now, whoever they're facing, they should get a bye. Grimsby should not be in the competition. If there's a law it should be the same for everyone."
He continued: "Sorry, this sounds very harsh, but there's laws and rules for a reason, and if you break those the punishment has to be. We've just seen what happened with Crystal Palace."
Oduor had joined Grimsby on loan from Bradford City the day prior to the fixture.
He made his bow after entering as a substitute in the second half, though would fail to convert in the penalty shootout - fortunately without consequence for his new club.
It subsequently came to light that his registration occurred just one minute beyond the permitted 12pm cut-off on August 26.
In a statement, the EFL acknowledged that Grimsby had self-reported the mistake, whilst outlining the sanction for the League Two outfit - a decision that hasn't been universally welcomed.
They declared: "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."
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