Barnsley have been removed from the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player during last Tuesday’s replay at Horsham FC, as confirmed via a statement on the FA Cup’s official website.
Isthmian Premier Division outfit Horsham FC travelled to Barnsley in the first round, producing a shock 3-3 draw against League One promotion hopefuls.
Last week’s replay between the two saw a Nicky Cadden goal followed up by a John McAtee brace to fire the South Yorkshire club into the second round. Despite a comfortable 3-0 victory in the replay away at Horsham FC last Tuesday, it is the seventh tier side that will feature in the second round trip to Sutton United.
Barnsley have been removed from the 2023-24 FA Cup with the non-league outfit being awarded progression to the second round after the Tykes were deemed to have breached FA Cup Rule 103.
This decision comes due to the Yorkshire club fielding a player that was not registered for the original first round proper match on Friday 3rd November – subject to appeal by Barnsley.
Horsham FC will now face League Two’s Sutton United, only having progressed this far on one occaision in their history.
What has been said?
The FA have justified their decision via a statement on their official website:
“A Professional Game Board Sub-Committee has removed Barnsley from the 2023-24 FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player during their First Round Proper Replay against Horsham on Tuesday 14 November 2023.
“The FA alleged that the player was ineligible for this Replay, as he was not correctly registered and eligible for the original First Round Proper match on Friday 3 November 2023, which constitutes a breach of FA Cup Rule 103.
“Barnsley admitted this charge and acknowledged that the breach had occurred. The Sub-Committee’s members ordered that Barnsley be removed from the competition, and that Horsham be awarded the tie and progression to the Second Round Proper.
“Subject to any appeal by Barnsley, Horsham will now play away to Sutton United in the Second Round Proper on Saturday 2 December 2023.”
In response, the South Yorkshire outfit have also released a statement:
“An administrative error was brought to our attention regarding the eligibility of a player who played in last Tuesday’s game with Horsham FC. The club has fully cooperated with the investigation and has accepted the FA’s decision. We have been in contact with Horsham FC and would like to thank the club and Chairman for their understanding and cooperation throughout this process.
“We would like to apologise to our fans, players and staff for this regrettable error. This mistake – although unintentional – falls way below the high standards we set at this club and is simply not what you deserve. We have already conducted a full internal investigation and have subsequently put safeguards in place to ensure this will never happen again.”
Writer’s View
A particularly tough decision for Barnsley fans to take after being handed a favourable tie against Sutton United – with potential passage to the third round bearing the opportunity for fortunes.
However, it is not to be underestimated just how valuable this run will be to Horsham, and the prize money received will go such a long way for the non-league outfit.
