Luton Town reinstated to EFL Trophy as Swindon thrown out over ineligible players

Luton Town have been reinstated to the EFL Trophy after Swindon Town were excluded for fielding two ineligible players.

The Hatters had been knocked out of the competition after a 2-1 home defeat to the League 2 side in mid-January, but it was raised that Swindon fielded Oliver Clarke when he was serving a seven game ban and then brought on Aaron Drinan as a substitute when he was initially left off the teamsheet.

Swindon were found by a disciplinary commission to have broken the rules and be worthy of exclusion from the competition. Luton will take their place and will face Plymouth Argyle in the next round at a future date that is to be determined.

In a statement, the EFL said, “An Independent Disciplinary Commission has determined that Swindon Town Football Club is to be removed from this season’s Vertu Trophy competition for breaches of EFL Regulations and EFL Trophy Rules.

“The Club has also been issued with a fine of £40,000, of which £20,000 will be suspended and which will be automatically payable if the Club fields or names on a team sheet an ineligible player before the end of the 2026/27 season.

“The breaches relate to the Club fielding two ineligible players against Luton Town in the Vertu Trophy Round of 16 tie on 13 January 2026. Swindon Town won the game 2-1.

“The Club played Oliver Clarke, who was serving a seven-game suspension from the Football Association. In addition, Aaron Drinan, who started the second half of the tie, was not named on the official team sheet.

“As a result of the decision, Luton Town will progress into the Vertu Trophy Quarter-Final, where they will host Plymouth Argyle. The date of the tie will be confirmed in the next 48 hours and will now not take place on Tuesday 10 February 2026 as originally scheduled following a request from Plymouth Argyle earlier today.

“The full decision and written reasons will be published on EFL.com in due course.”

In a response, Swindon Town said they would respect the disciplinary process, although they voiced their dissatisfaction with the EFL’s conclusion.

They said, “Swindon Town Football Club is deeply disappointed by the Independent Disciplinary Commission’s decision to remove the Club from this season’s Vertu Trophy.

“We strongly believe this outcome is unfair and do not agree with the findings. That said, we respect the disciplinary process and the authority of the Commission.

“Right now, our focus has to be on moving forward together as a football club. We will take time to reflect, learn from what has happened, and make sure we continue to meet the highest standards in everything we do.

“Above all, our priority remains with our players, staff, and supporters. We will keep backing them fully as we push on and compete with everything we have in our remaining fixtures this season.”