- Clarke Oduor’s club, Grimsby Town fined Ksh3.5M (£20,000) by the EFL.
- Registration paperwork for Oduor was filed one minute late.
- Despite this, he featured in Grimsby’s historic 12–11 penalty win over Manchester United.
- The club accepted the sanction, but the victory still stands.
- Kenyan fans hailed Oduor online, celebrating his performance.
- Oduor remains eligible for Round Three and future matches.
Kenyan international Clarke Sydney Omondi Oduor has hit the headlines after his English club Grimsby Town was fined Ksh3.5 million (£20,000) for fielding him in their Carabao Cup win over Manchester United.
The English Football League (EFL) announced that Oduor was technically ineligible because his registration paperwork was submitted one minute past the deadline on August 27, 2025.
EFL rules required documents to be filed by 12:00 pm sharp. Grimsby sent Oduor at 12:01 pm, then immediately reported the mistake. While it was just a minor administrative slip, the rule breach meant Oduor should not have featured in the match.
Still, he played a part in a thrilling game that ended 12–11 on penalties, with Grimsby knocking out Manchester United in dramatic fashion at Blundell Park.
Grimsby Town accepted the sanction, calling it an “honest oversight.” Officials said they were relieved that the victory itself was not overturned and will stand in the competition’s records.
The incident has unexpectedly pushed Oduor into the spotlight. Many Kenyan fans flooded social media with messages of support, celebrating his contribution to one of Grimsby’s greatest nights.
Oduor, who joined the Mariners earlier this year, has already proven to be a key addition and remains cleared to play in future games, including the Carabao Cup Round Three.
For Kenyan football, Oduor’s role against a global giant like Manchester United has become a moment of pride. Despite the fine, fans say the performance will be remembered more than the paperwork error.
