Swindon Town have been charged by the Football Association (FA) and the English Football League (EFL) following their 2-1 Vertu Trophy Round-of-16 win over Luton Town on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
The charges relate to two alleged breaches: that Ollie Clarke played while serving a suspension, and that Aaron Drinan participated despite not being named on the official team sheet.
Swindon issued a formal statement saying: “The Club is currently reviewing these matters in full and is working closely with the Football Association, the EFL, and all relevant governing bodies.
“In respect of Ollie Clarke, the Club maintains that the appropriate protocols and governance procedures regarding player suspensions were followed and that both the Club and the player complied with the terms of the suspension as notified to them by the FA at all times.
“Ollie Clarke will complete his suspension as notified and will not be available for the forthcoming fixtures against Salford City and Bromley.
“In relation to the matter concerning Aaron Drinan, the Club acknowledges that his name was inadvertently omitted from the official team sheet. This was a clerical error.
“The Club wishes to make clear there was no intention to mislead, deceive, or gain any sporting or competitive advantage. Aaron Drinan was, at all times, a fully registered and otherwise eligible player to participate in the fixture.
“Swindon Town takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously and regrets this error. The Club has reviewed its internal matchday processes and documentation procedures to ensure additional safeguards are in place to prevent a recurrence.
“Swindon Town Football Club and Ollie Clarke will submit responses to the respective charges within the required timeframe. As these matters are subject to ongoing disciplinary processes, the Club will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
Clarke, 33, is serving a seven-match ban for “highly violating and intentional foul play” on the private body parts of two Cardiff City players during Swindon’s Carabao Cup defeat in August. The suspension only came into effect in December, and Clarke played 77 minutes against Luton before being substituted for Tom Nicholls.
Second-half substitute Aaron Drinan, 27, was not listed on the official team sheet. The error caused the game to be temporarily halted in the 64th minute, though Drinan remained on the pitch. Swindon say this was a clerical error and there was no intention to gain any sporting advantage.
An independent disciplinary commission will now review the charges. Swindon could be expelled from the competition, with Luton Town potentially reinstated. Both clubs will remain included in the quarter-final draw on Saturday 17 January while proceedings continue.
