Swindon Town Faces Disciplinary Action for Fielding Ineligible Players
Swindon Town has been charged with fielding two ineligible players during their victory against Luton Town in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday.
The team started Ollie Clarke, who was serving a seven-match suspension, and substituted in Aaron Drinan at the beginning of the second half, despite him not being listed on the official team sheet.
As a result, Swindon could face elimination from the competition, with Luton potentially being reinstated. Both teams will be included in Saturday's quarter-final draw while the investigation is ongoing.
Clarke, 33, captained the team despite his ban for “highly violating and intentional foul play” against two opponents' private areas during Swindon’s Carabao Cup defeat to Cardiff City in August.
The English Football League (EFL) has stated that Clarke's suspension rendered him ineligible for the competition, although this is not universally applicable. For instance, Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj was sent off against Northampton Town on November 29 but was eligible to play in the EFL Trophy match against Leyton Orient the following Tuesday, as his suspension did not apply to that competition.
Swindon Town has expressed their belief that neither the club nor Clarke has breached any rules. In an official statement, the club said, “Regarding Ollie Clarke, we maintain that the appropriate protocols and governance procedures concerning player suspensions were followed, and both the club and the player complied with the terms of the suspension as notified by the FA at all times.”
It was further noted that Clarke will complete his suspension and will not be available for upcoming matches against Salford City (League Two and FA Cup) and Bromley (League Two).
Drinan, the club's top scorer at 27, entered the game as a half-time substitute despite not being listed on the teamsheet. His presence was questioned in the 64th minute, leading to an eight-minute delay in play, but he remained on the field.
Swindon manager Ian Holloway acknowledged that the club anticipated “some sort of action” regarding what they have now termed a clerical error. The club stated, “In relation to the matter concerning Aaron Drinan, we acknowledge that his name was inadvertently omitted from the official team sheet. This was a clerical error in the completion of match documentation. We wish to clarify that there was no intention to mislead, deceive, or gain any sporting or competitive advantage. Aaron Drinan was, at all times, a fully registered and otherwise eligible player to participate in the fixture.”
The EFL has confirmed that “the two matters will now be considered by an individual disciplinary commission.”