Barnsley kicked out FA Cup as Non-League minnows handed place in next round

22 November 2023 , 14:09

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Barnsley have been kicked out of the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

Barnsley have been "removed" from the FA Cup after fielding an ineligible player during their recent first round replay with non-league Horsham, a statement has confirmed.

The decision means Horsham will take the Tykes' place in the second round of the tournament and will face Sutton next month.

The statement from the Football Association confirming the decision read: "A Professional Game Board Sub-Committee has removed Barnsley from the 2023-24 Emirates 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.

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"Subject to any appeal by Barnsley, Horsham will now play away to Sutton United in the Second Round Proper on Saturday 2 December 2023."

Barnsley reacted to the news with a statement of their own where they expressed their "regret" over the "unintentional" error. The statement read: "Today the FA has advised us that we will no longer be able to participate in the FA Cup this season.

Seventh-tier Horsham have been reinstated and will face Sutton United for a place in the third round of the FA Cup next month (PA)

"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."

Horsham, of the seventh-tier, earned a replay after holding the League One outfit to a 3-3 draw at Oakwell in the initial tie. They succumbed to a 3-0 defeat in a replay last week.

Barnsley outlined that an administrative error had led to them fielding an ineligible player (PA)

Their chairman, Kevin Borrett, reacted to the news in different statement saying: “The Barnsley Chairman Neerav Parekh contacted me on Friday 17th November to make the club aware of the administrative error and FA consideration of the matter.

“I understand the immense disappointment that this decision by the FA would be to both Barnsley Football Club and its supporters. On behalf of HFC, I wish Barnsley FC every success in their pursuit of promotion back to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.”

Dan Marsh