Merseyside club Liverpool FC will have the opportunity to vie for the Carabao Cup after it was confirmed that the Kops have escaped being dismissed from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.
Jurgen Klopp’s side had risked expulsion after fielding Midfielder Pedro Chirivella in their match with MK Dons a week ago, but after a decision by the EFL on Wednesday, the club has been fined £200,000 instead.
Meanwhile, £100,000 of the £200,000 is a suspended fine which will be activated if a similar error should occur in the course of the season.
However, the rules of the competition require for club sides to see that all Players to be used in the competition are registered in line with the league they play in before they play.
But Chirivella, who was introduced into the game three minutes after the hour mark, did not possess an international transfer certificate after the expiration of his loan spell with Extremadura in Spain’s lower division last season.
Nevertheless, the EFL released a statement on Wednesday in respect to its decision not to expel the European Champions.
“Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence, the Board determined that it wasn’t appropriate to expel the club from the competition because of a number of mitigating factors.” the statement read.
Another part of the lengthy release from the EFL reads: “The club will be liable for the suspended sum of £100,000, plus an additional sanction if they were to again field an ineligible player in the Carabao Cup between now and the end of next season.”
However, the ruling means that the team’s round of 16 matches against Arsenal at Anfield stadium will go ahead as planned.
Meanwhile, a statement released by Liverpool’s spokesperson explained that the club accepts the punishment.
“The club accepts the judgement, outcome and punishment meted by the EFL. We believe it is proportionate with the technical indiscretion committed and will be making no further representations.” He said.
“Even though there were mitigating factors which were beyond our control or jurisdiction, we believe it to be appropriate we apologise to the competition’s governing body and also to Milton Keynes Dons.”
Liverpool FC are set at 6.00 to win the League Cup. While rivals Manchester City are fancied at 2.65
Written by: Idowu Daniel Ademiju
