SWINDON have been sensationally booted out of the EFL Trophy for fielding two ineligible players in their last 16 tie at Luton.
An Independent Disciplinary Commission also fined the League Two club £40,000 – half of which is suspended unless they commit the same offence again before the end of next season.
Robins captain Ollie Clarke was serving a seven game ban when he played at Kenilworth Road last month in the game which Swindon won 2-1 – as revealed by SunSport.
The midfielder was banned for ‘violating’ the private parts of a Cardiff City opponent in a Carabao Cup game last August.
The Football Association have already fined Swindon £1,000 for allowing Clarke to play. But the EFL followed up and the club has now been kicked out of the tournament.
The club say they checked with The FA’s own disciplinary portal and say Clarke’s list of banned games did not include their match with League One Luton – meaning it isn’t considered a first team tournament.
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Swindon boss Ian Holloway was furious with the first decision and will be even more angry now.
He said last weekend: “I’ve rung the League Managers Association to complain – I think it’s unprofessional.
“They want to fine me? Good! They want to ban me? Good! Do it. Have a look at yourselves every single one of you. It’s absolutely disgusting.
“And whether I get another game or not I don’t really care any more.”
Swindon admitted making an error over Aaron Drinan’s omission from the team sheet for the January 13 game.
But they say wifi problems at Kenilworth Road meant they could not spot the mistake on their iPad later on.
Luton will now go through to the quarter finals and host Plymouth Argyle.
The game was due to be played on February 10 but will be delayed following a request from Argyle today.
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