'I'm sorry, you have to leave...': Experts call for Grimsby's disqualification after Man Utd win tarnished by ineligible player row

Grimsby Town’s fairytale win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup has been hit with controversy after it was revealed that they fielded an ineligible player. The League Two side shocked everyone by beating United 12-11 on penalties late last month, but experts are now saying the EFL Cup result shouldn’t stand.

Kenyan midfielder Clarke Oduor recently joined Grimsby Town on loan from Bradford City. He made his debut in the second half of their match against United. However, it later emerged that Oduor’s registration papers were filed just one minute after the official 12:00 PM deadline on August 26, which technically made him ineligible to play in that game.

After learning about the situation, the EFL gave the club a fine of £20,000 and allowed them to move into the third round, where they are scheduled to face Sheffield Wednesday. However, many believe that Grimsby should have been thrown out of the competition for their mistake.

More from Football

Will Man United return to League Cup? Grimsby Town found guilty of rule breach, but there’s a twist Manchester United slammed over 'panic buy' on transfer deadline day: 'Don't think they've done an in-depth analysis'

Experts call for Grimsby’s disqualification

Earlier, former England international Darren Bent said that Grimsby should have been eliminated from the tournament. Now, another former English footballer has taken a similar stance. Jason Cundy has said that rules are rules and that the Mariners should leave the competition.

“First off, if you break the rules like that I don’t see how Grimsby can be in the competition, I genuinely don’t. It sounds harsh but if that had happened the other way round, would we say: ‘No, its fine, £20,000 fine for Man Utd’? Are we now judging it by the club? They broke the rules. I’m sorry, you have to leave the competition,” Cundy told talkSPORT.

“I don’t think Man Utd should get in either by the way. They got knocked out. What should happen now, whoever they’re facing, they should get a bye. Grimsby should not be in the competition. If there’s a law it should be the same for everyone. Sorry, this sounds very harsh, but there’s laws and rules for a reason, and if you break those the punishment has to be. We’ve just seen what happened with Crystal Palace,” he added.

Meanwhile, United have reportedly decided not to appeal against Grimsby’s punishment for fielding an ineligible player in the EFL Cup.