Colchester United will play in the next stage of the Papa John's Trophy, after West Ham played an ineligible player.
The EFL Board has determined that West Ham United U21s will receive a three point penalty from this season’s Papa John’s Trophy group standings, for fielding an ineligible player in the Southern Group A fixture against Gillingham on 26th October.
Having received yellow cards in each of the previous two group fixtures, Ajibola Alese was suspended from playing and unavailable for selection, though featured in the fixture which West Ham United U21s won 2-0.
In accordance with Rule 30 of the Papa John’s Trophy, following consideration of all available evidence, the EFL Board has also determined that alongside the three point penalty, Gillingham will now be awarded the £10,000 win bonus as compensation for the costs of hosting the fixture, though no further financial penalty will be imposed on West Ham United for the breach in light of mitigating factors put forward by the club.
The EFL Board considered this matter by way of correspondence and reached a decision prior to kick off in the fixture between Ipswich Town and Colchester United.
West Ham United’s points tally for the Group stage will now total three points and the Club will finish third in Southern Group A, with Colchester United now progressing to the next stage of the competition in second place.