Barnsley Football Club expelled from this season's FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player
Barnsley finds themselves ousted from the FA Cup following the revelation of fielding an ineligible player during their first-round replay victory against non-league Horsham. The administrative error, cited as the cause, occurred on November 3, and the League One team has faced consequences for the oversight.
Despite securing a 3-0 win in the contested match, the Football Association's ruling has reshaped the landscape. Seventh-tier Horsham will now take Barnsley's place and contend against Sutton United in the upcoming second round.
In response, Barnsley released a statement expressing their acceptance of the FA's decision. The club conveyed gratitude to Horsham and its chairman for their understanding and cooperation in this matter. However, the statement did not disclose the identity of the ineligible player.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Barnsley apologized to their fans, players, and staff. They characterized the error as regrettable and stressed that it was unintentional but fell below the club's established standards. The team assured their stakeholders that a thorough internal investigation has already taken place, and preventive measures are now in effect to forestall any recurrence.
Horsham FC Chairman Kevin Borrett empathized with Barnsley's disappointment over the ruling, extending well wishes for the club's success in their pursuit of promotion back to the EFL Championship by the end of the 2023/24 season.
