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ShutterstockSwindon Town have been charged with fielding two ineligible players in Tuesday’s win at Luton Town in the Vertu Trophy.
Swindon started Ollie Clarke, who was serving a seven-game ban, and brought on Aaron Drinan at the start of the second half, despite him not being named on the team sheet.
They could now be thrown out of the competition with Luton reinstated, so both teams will be named in Saturday’s quarter-final draw while the investigation continues.
Clarke, 33, captained the side despite being banned for “highly violating and intentional foul play” on two opponents’ “private body parts” in Swindon’s Carabao Cup defeat by Cardiff City in August.
The EFL say the suspension had ruled him out of playing in the competition, though this is not always the case.
For example, Plymouth Argyle striker Lorent Tolaj was sent off against Northampton Town on 29 November but was eligible to play at Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy the following Tuesday as his ban did not count in the competition.
Swindon have said they do not believe they or Clarke have committed a rule breach.
“In respect of Ollie Clarke, the club maintains that the appropriate protocols and governance procedures regarding player suspensions were followed and that both the club and the player complied with the terms of the suspension as notified to them by the FA at all times,” Swindon said in a statement.
“Ollie Clarke will complete his suspension as notified and will not be available for the forthcoming fixtures against Salford City (League Two and FA Cup) and Bromley (League Two).”
Robins top scorer Drinan, 27, was a half-time substitute despite not being named on the teamsheet.
It took until the 64th minute for Drinan’s presence to be questioned, leading to an eight-minute delay in play, with the forward eventually staying on the pitch.
Swindon boss Ian Holloway admitted the club expected “some sort of action” over what they have now described as a clerical error.
“In relation to the matter concerning Aaron Drinan, the club acknowledges that his name was inadvertently omitted from the official team sheet,” Swindon said.
“This was a clerical error in the completion of match documentation. The club wishes to make clear 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 said “the two matters will now be considered by an individual disciplinary commission”.
