Swindon Town Disqualified from Vertu Trophy for Fielding Ineligible Players

Swindon Town’s manager, Ian Holloway, referred to Aaron Drinan’s participation in the recent match as a “major whoopsie.”

The English Football League (EFL) has disqualified Swindon from the Vertu Trophy for fielding two ineligible players during their 2-1 victory over Luton Town. As a result, Luton Town has advanced to the quarter-finals.

The EFL, along with the Football Association, charged Swindon after the match last month. Captain Ollie Clarke participated in the game while serving a suspension, and Drinan was used as a substitute despite not being listed on the teamsheet.

Luton Town will now face Plymouth Argyle at Kenilworth Road in the quarter-finals, with a new date for the match to be confirmed within the next 48 hours, replacing the initially scheduled date of Tuesday, February 10.

In addition to their disqualification, Swindon has been fined £40,000, with £20,000 of that amount suspended. This suspended fine will be payable if the club fields or lists an ineligible player on a teamsheet before the conclusion of the 2026-27 season.

Swindon expressed their “deep disappointment” regarding the decision. In an official statement, the club stated, “We strongly believe this outcome is unfair and do not agree with the findings. However, we respect the disciplinary process and the authority of the commission.”

The statement further noted, “Our focus must now be on moving forward together as a football club. We will take the time to reflect, learn from this incident, and ensure we maintain the highest standards in all our operations. Above all, our priority remains with our players, staff, and supporters. We will continue to support them wholeheartedly as we strive to compete in our remaining fixtures this season.”

Holloway criticized Clarke’s ban as “unprofessional,” while the club faced a £1,000 fine for Clarke’s appearance, which occurred during an ongoing seven-game suspension.

Drinan, the club’s leading scorer, was substituted at half-time despite Ryan Tafazolli being listed on the teamsheet in his stead. The match continued until the 64th minute, when Drinan’s presence was questioned by officials and club staff, resulting in an eight-minute delay before he remained on the field.

In his post-match interview, Holloway acknowledged the error and anticipated “some sort of action” but noted that the match officials did not request verification of the teamsheet prior to kick-off, which he argued is standard protocol.