MANCHESTER United refused the chance to grab a Carabao Cup lifeline – despite League Two conquerors Grimsby fielding an ineligible player.
Midfielder Clark Oduor, a second-half substitute for the Mariners in their shock second-round triumph, was not registered until one minute after the deadline for last week’s tie.
ReutersGrimsby admitted Clarke Oduor was not registered in time to face Manchester United[/caption]
GettyUnited opted not to appeal the fine in the hope of getting reinstated into the Carabao Cup[/caption]
GettyRuben Amorim suffered sheer embarrassment with the shock exit[/caption]
But United, who were told that Grimsby had been merely fined £20,000 by EFL chiefs on Monday, chose NOT to appeal, despite many of their fans urging them to do so.
The speculation is that United – who had five days to contest the decision – feared they would be in a lose-lose scenario if they tried to use a technicality to either engineer a replay or to take Grimsby’s place in the third round against Sheffield Wednesday.
Pushing the EFL to reinstate them might have given Ruben Amorim and his side a second chance to put the record straight but would have left United open to ridicule from rival fans.
And instead, the club – which chose to make no comment – decided to take the shoot-out defeat on the chin – and give up the option to try to rekindle their cup hopes.
Kenyan Oduor, 26, was making his debut for the Blundell Park side after completing a loan move from Bradford and missed his spot kick in the shoot-out that the League Two side won 12-11.
But Grimsby then admitted to EFL chiefs that they had submitted his registration at one minute after the 12 noon match deadline last Tuesday, the day before the game, meaning he was INELIGIBLE to play.
Despite that, EFL bosses said that after a “comprehensive review of all the evidence and considering prior decisions” a fine – with £10,000 of the cash suspended until the end of the season – was the appropriate sanction rather than eliminating Grimsby or ordering a replay.
EFL chiefs pointed to three similar decisions over the past 12 years.
Liverpool were fined £200,000 – £100,000 of which was suspended – for fielding Spanish youngster Pedro Chirivella in a 2-0 Carabao Cup win over MK Dons.
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Similar punishments – fines of £5,000 and £25,000 – were handed out to Accrington in 2016 and Sunderland three years earlier.
In a statement, the EFL added: “The Board determined that the issuing of a fine followed precedent.
Carabao Cup third round draw
Port Vale vs Arsenal
Lincoln vs Chelsea
Tottenham vs Doncaster
Huddersfield vs Manchester City
Liverpool vs Southampton
Fulham vs Cambridge
Brentford vs Aston Villa
Barnsley vs Brighton
Swansea vs Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United vs Bradford
Sheffield Wednesday vs Grimsby Town
Wolves vs Everton
Crystal Palace vs Millwall
Burnley vs Cardiff
Wrexham vs Reading
Wigan Athletic vs Wycombe Wanderers
“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.”
United fans may be angry with some remembering that the EFL ordered West Ham to play a replay after ineligible winger Manny Omoyimni – who had played in the competition while on loan at Gillingham – featured in the quarter-final “win” over Aston Villa in 1999.
Two years ago, Barnsley were booted out of the FA Cup for fielding striker Aiden Marsh – who had been recalled from a loan spell at York after the initial tie – in their first round replay win over non-league Horsham.
But justifying the decision to fine Grimsby rather than hit them with a bigger sanction, the EFL pointed out that Oduor was registered with them and the FA as a Mariners player.
Grimsby “acknowledged” the decision, explaining “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.
“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.”
GettyGrimsby won 12-11 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park[/caption]
GettyFans and players celebrated the memorable win on the pitch together[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
