Overview
- An Independent Disciplinary Commission removed Swindon from the competition and issued a £40,000 fine, with £20,000 suspended until the end of the 2026/27 season if there is another eligibility breach.
- Luton Town advance to the quarter-finals to face Plymouth Argyle, with the tie postponed from 10 February following a request from Plymouth.
- The case centred on captain Ollie Clarke playing while serving a seven-game FA suspension and Aaron Drinan entering the match despite not being listed on the official team sheet, which caused an eight-minute delay.
- Swindon said the outcome is unfair and argued they relied on the FA disciplinary portal, claimed the Trophy was miscategorised in that system, and cited connectivity issues at Kenilworth Road that hindered corrections.
- The FA had already levied a separate £1,000 fine, and manager Ian Holloway publicly condemned the handling of the disciplinary process.