The Football Association (FA) have confirmed that League One side, Barnsley, have been expelled from the 2023/24 FA Cup competition due to an ‘administrative error’.
The Tykes have been disqualified as a result of fielding an ineligible player in the replay of their first round tie against Horsham away from home, last week. The player in question has not been revealed as of yet.
In a club statement, Barnsley accepted responsibility and said, ‘whilst unintentional, it falls way below the high standards expected’.
In the first round, Barnsley had taken an early lead against Horsham, who play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, eventually fell behind in that match before sharing a thrilling 3-3 draw at Oakwell.
In the replay a week and a half later at The Camping World Community Stadium, Barnsley took an early 3-0 lead and, despite some impressive play by The Hornets, especially in the second-half, Horsham couldn’t fight back into the match.
In the second round draw, Barnsley had been drawn to face League Two club Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Saturday 2nd December. In many cases, this would result in Sutton getting a bye but, instead, Horsham have been reinstated to the competition so they will go and face Sutton in south London in about ten days’ time.
Sutton, under the management of Matt Gray, have struggled at the start of this season as they sit rock-bottom in the League Two table with just three victories in 18 matches, despite winning 5-1 at home to Notts County on the opening day of the season.
Barnsley have become the first team to be expelled in the FA Cup since Peacehaven and Telscombe also fielded an ineligible player in their Extra Preliminary Round victory against Bearsted in the 2020/21 campaign. Bury were the first and, until today, only professional side to have been disqualified after the qualifying rounds when The Shakers fielded an ineligible player against Chester City in the 2006/07 season.
