Grimsby have been fined £20,000 by the EFL for fielding an ineligible player. Image: ESPN UK Shared via X.
(The Post News)– Grimsby Town Football Club has been fined £20,000 by the English Football League (EFL) Board after fielding an ineligible player in their Carabao Cup Round Two victory against Manchester United on August 27, 2025.
Half of the fine, which is £10,000, has been suspended until the end of the 2025/26 season. The suspended £10,000 fine will, however, come into effect if the club fields another ineligible player in any league competition before the end of the season.
Grimsby Penalized Over Clarke Oduor Late Registration
Grimsby was penalized because of the late registration of Clarke Oduor, allegedly for the Carabao Cup match against Manchester United. The breach was triggered when Grimsby registered defender Oduor at 12:01pm on the day of the match, just one minute after the 12:00pm deadline required under Carabao Cup rules.
The club’s administrative error saw the Mariners defeat Manchester United 12-11 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Blundell Park. The victory came after a 2-2 stalemate in the 90 minutes and an additional period of extra time.
The EFL confirmed that the Mariners self-reported the mistake the following day. After reviewing evidence, the board ruled that although the offense was not deliberate and carried no intent to mislead, a financial penalty was consistent with past decisions. However, Grimsby Town remains in the Carabao Cup, having progressed to Round Three despite the infraction.
EFL also noted that Grimsby has introduced new measures to prevent similar mistakes in the future. While the club avoided expulsion from the tournament, the case underlines the strict compliance required in English football’s domestic cup competitions.
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