After Grimsby Town retained their place in the Carabao Cup despite fielding an ineligible player against Manchester United, here's how West Ham United were not so fortunate
Clarke Oduor of Grimsby Town looks dejected as he misses the team's third penalty in 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.
Clarke Oduor, who was technically ineligible to play against Manchester United, after missing his penalty in the shootout
(Image: Getty)
West Ham were once forced to replay a League Cup tie for fielding an ineligible player – unlike Grimsby Town, who were given a reprieve for a similar offence. The Mariners famously beat Manchester United 12-11 in a penalty shoot-out last month, having led 2-0 in normal time before being pegged back.
Soon after, it emerged that Clarke Oduor, who came on as a 73rd-minute substitute and missed a penalty in the shootout, was not technically eligible for the second round tie. A loan signing from Bradford City, the Kenyan’s registration was submitted at 12.01pm on the day before the match, shortly after the 12pm deadline.
The League Two club have been fined £20,000, with £10,000 suspended until the end of the season. Grimsby self-reported the breach once they discovered the error the day after the match.
The mistake has led to calls for the match to be replayed or for Grimsby to be thrown out of the competition. However, the EFL said the fine was issued following precedent after a review of the evidence and consideration of prior decisions regarding offences in the competition. Recent examples of teams fielding ineligible players have indeed resulted in fines rather than expulsions or replays.
However, that didn’t apply in 1999 when the Hammers were ordered to replay their quarter-final against Aston Villa after the cup-tied Emmanuel Omoyinmi came off the bench in the final stages before the tie went to penalties.
Omoyinmi had played in both legs of Gillingham’s second round encounter with Bolton Wanderers and was therefore ineligible to play for another club in that season’s competition. West Ham ’s shoot-out victory was declared void, with Villa winning the replayed match in extra time.
West Ham celebrate after beating Aston Villa on penalties in the 1999/00 League Cup
West Ham celebrate after beating Aston Villa on penalties in the 1999/00 League Cup. The tie had to be replayed after Emmanuel Omoyinmi (right) played despite being cup-tied
(Image: Phil Cole/Allsport)
The circumstances around Grimsby’s error are very different. The Mariners, who will visit Sheffield Wednesday in round three, released a statement acknowledging the sanction, revealing the delay in meeting the deadline had been due to a computer problem.
“We accept the fine imposed and fully recognise the importance of adhering to competition rules and regulations,” the club said. “This mistake was not deliberate, and the club acted transparently by self-reporting the breach as soon as it came to light.”
Grimsbt Town manager David Artell talking to Sky Sports
Grimsby boss David Artell has given his take on the issue
(Image: Sky Sports)
Grimsby boss David Artell said: “What happens surrounding that isn't in my domain but nobody can take away the performance of the players and the manner of the victory, certainly not in my eyes anyway.
“What happened was unfortunate. We owned up, made a statement, let everyone know and we move on.”
United, the 2023 winners, have not appealed to be reinstated and have declined to comment publicly on the matter.
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