Luton Town will face Plymouth in Vertu Trophy after Swindon are kicked out
EFL expel Robins for ineligible players
Luton Town have been officially reinstated in the Vertu Trophy after the EFL confirmed yesterday that Swindon Town had been removed from the competition and given a £40,000 fine for fielding two ineligible players.
In the contest at Kenilworth Road last month, the Robins selected captain Ollie Clarke in their starting XI, despite the midfielder being banned for seven games after being found guilty of committing ‘highly violating and intentional foul play’ on two opponents' ‘private body parts’ during their Carabao Cup tie with Cardiff City on August 12.
The 33-year-old still had three games of his suspension remaining, but with Swindon believing it didn’t include the Vertu Trophy, named him in the starting line-up, as he completed 77 minutes. The visitors also brought on top scorer Aaron Drinan as a half time substitute, despite not being named on the teamsheet that was submitted to the officials prior to the game, with centre half Ryan Tafazolli on there instead.
With Swindon handed a £1,000 fine by the FA last week for playing Clarke, with the midfielder also given an extra game ban, the EFL finally came to their decision over the outcome yesterday, with a statement reading: “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 but will not take place on Tuesday 10th February 2026 as originally scheduled following a request from Plymouth Argyle earlier today (Wednesday)."
Swindon themselves released a statement on their official website in which they expressed their frustration over the ruling, as it 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.”