Northampton's potential EFL Trophy opponents could be kicked out after breaking FA rules

Swindon beat the Hatters 2-1 at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday to join AFC Wimbledon, Plymouth and Northampton in the southern area last four, however they are now being investigated for breaking FA Rules.

Midfielder Oliver Clarke was not permitted to play in the fixture having been given a seven-game suspension from the FA for ‘touching an opponent’s private body parts during a game', while forward Aaron Drinan came on as a second half sub despite not being named on the official team sheets. It means both Swindon and Luton will be in the quarter-final draw, which takes place on Saturday.

Clarke's suspension stems from incidents during Swindon's Carabao Cup encounter with Cardiff City on August 12, where he was found to have committed ‘highly invasive’ and ‘violating’ acts against two opposition players. One Cardiff player was left ‘very emotional and struggling to speak’ following the incident, approaching referee Elliot Bell while ‘visibly upset’ to report the incident.

The Independent Regulatory Commission determined there was ‘no plausible explanation’ for Clarke's conduct. The FA characterised it as ‘extremely serious and unusual’, imposing a £2,750 fine alongside the lengthy ban.

As for Drinan, it took until the 64th minute for his presence to be questioned, leading to an eight-minute delay in play, with the forward eventually staying on the pitch. "I offered to take Drinan off and Jack (Wilshere) went, 'well that's not his fault is it, just get on with it'," said Swindon boss Ian Holloway. "There'll be some sort of action because something's gone wrong.

"When we used to write the teamsheet down it was never wrong, was it? But when they get it on an iPad and it's not shown to us, how can I say that is my team and I haven't checked it?

"No-one's checked it and it's too late to check it when the game's gone on and they noticed it because one of their staff noticed it. It's a major whoopsie I would suggest from the officials - is that us, is that them? They've got to have a right good look at themselves. Why don't we go back to the written ones?"

An EFL statement confirmed: “Swindon Town Football Club has been charged with two alleged breaches of EFL Regulations and EFL Trophy Rules. The charges 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. The two matters will now be considered by an independent disciplinary commission.

:As the sanction could include Swindon Town’s removal from this season’s Vertu Trophy and the reinstatement of Luton Town, the Vertu Trophy Quarter-Final draw on Saturday 17 January will include both clubs while proceedings are ongoing.”