Swindon Town faces possible expulsion from EFL Trophy over eligibility issues
Swindon Town are at risk of expulsion from the EFL Trophy following allegations that they fielded two ineligible players during their recent round of 16 victory against Luton Town. This charge has emerged after the League Two club secured a 2-1 win in the Vertu Trophy fixture earlier this week, reports BritPanorama.
An independent Disciplinary Commission will review the case to determine whether Swindon should be excluded from the competition entirely. The club is currently in a strong position, aiming for promotion, but the outcome of this review has cast doubt on their progress.
Swindon has engaged legal representation to contest the charges, asserting that a mistake in the FA’s systems resulted in the issue. Manager Ian Holloway faced scrutiny for selecting captain Ollie Clarke, who was serving a ban related to an incident last August, although this suspension officially began in December.
Additionally, striker Aaron Drinan entered the match as a substitute despite not being listed on the official team sheet prior to kickoff. The EFL has confirmed that the club has been charged with two alleged violations of EFL Regulations and EFL Trophy Rules, with possible sanctions including disqualification from this season’s tournament and reinstatement for Luton Town.
Due to the pending review, both clubs will be part of Saturday’s quarter-final draw until a final determination is made. The EFL stated that there was an issue with Clarke being listed as serving a seven-game suspension while Drinan was included without proper documentation.
Swindon officials indicated that responsibility for the error rests with the Football Association’s disciplinary portal, which did not list the Luton match as falling under Clarke’s ban. This misinterpretation has led the club to believe that the EFL Trophy is not a fully competitive tournament, therefore implying that Clarke’s suspension would not apply.
The legal team representing the Robins is preparing to challenge the charges. Clarke remains halfway through his suspension with more games to serve once the case concludes. As the situation develops, the ramifications for the club could be significant, impacting not only their immediate prospects but also their long-term strategy.
As the dust settles around this unfolding controversy, it serves as a reminder of the fine line clubs walk in competitive football, where even a minor oversight can lead to severe consequences.
