FA investigates Swindon Town over player eligibility
The FA has opened an investigation into Swindon Town after the League Two club played their captain, Ollie Clarke, for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy fixture against Luton, despite him currently serving a seven-match suspension, reports BritPanorama.
Clarke, who is currently banned, featured for 77 minutes as the Robins secured a surprise 2-1 away victory against their higher-division opponents.
The FA contacted Swindon this week regarding their decision to field the 33-year-old midfielder, according to media reports. The club reportedly believes Clarke was permitted to participate because the Luton fixture did not appear on the FA’s disciplinary portal, suggesting that his suspension did not apply.
EFL Trophy regulations stipulate that red card offences from “first team competitive matches”, including league, FA Cup and Carabao Cup games, do not carry over into the competition. Clarke’s suspension stems from incidents during Swindon’s Carabao Cup encounter with Cardiff City on August 12, where he was found to have committed “highly invasive” and “violating” acts against two opposition players.
One Cardiff player was left “very emotional and struggling to speak” following the incident, approaching referee Elliot Bell while “visibly upset” to report the matter. The Independent Regulatory Commission determined there was “no plausible explanation” for Clarke’s conduct.
The FA characterised the misconduct as “extremely serious and unusual,” imposing a £2,750 fine alongside the lengthy ban. Although Clarke admitted to the charges, he maintained that both incidents were unintentional — a defence the panel ultimately rejected.
The Luton fixture was already mired in controversy before questions arose over Clarke’s eligibility. Striker Aaron Drinan entered the match as a second-half substitute, despite his name being absent from the official team sheet. Play was halted in the 67th minute when the error became apparent, with Swindon acknowledging an administrative mistake. Manager Ian Holloway attributed the blunder to connectivity issues at Kenilworth Road, claiming he was unable to update his squad selection on his iPad due to Luton’s WiFi.
Holloway described the incident as a “major whoopsie” and offered to withdraw Drinan immediately, though Luton boss Jack Wilshere indicated that this was unnecessary and allowed the substitute to remain on the pitch.
In defending his captain, Holloway criticised the FA’s handling of the case. “I vouched for his character, and I know he’s competitive, and he wouldn’t have meant anything that he’s allegedly done,” he stated. He previously condemned the disciplinary process as “disgraceful,” suggesting that the governing body took too long before imposing what he considers an excessive punishment. “I would have rather they reported him to the police, and the police would have let him off, because there’s no evidence, simple as that,” he said, labelling the ban “ridiculous” while praising Clarke as a “hard-working and aggressive” player.
South Wales Police confirmed on Wednesday they had no involvement in the matter. Swindon chief executive Anthony Hall declined to comment further, stating, “The matter is in the hands of our legal team.”
In this unfolding saga, questions remain not just about Clarke’s eligibility but also about the broader implications for administrative processes within English football. How clubs navigate the complexities of regulations often shapes crucial matchdays — a reminder of just how vital clarity can be in the world of sport.
