Ian Holloway has delivered one of the most spectacular managerial meltdowns in recent memory, branding football authorities "cowards" in a furious three-minute tirade following his captain's last-minute suspension.
The Swindon Town boss, never one to hold back, was absolutely livid after learning Ollie Clarke had been banned just 24 hours before Saturday's League Two clash with Barrow.
"It's disgusting. They want to fine me? Good. They want to ban me? Good – do it," the 62-year-old raged on BBC Radio Wiltshire after his side's 3-1 victory.
"Have a look at yourselves, every single God-damn one of you."
Ian Holloway raged on BBC Radio Wiltshire after his side's 3-1 victory
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The veteran manager, renowned for his colourful outbursts over the years, took aim at both the FA and EFL in extraordinary fashion.
The whole saga stems from Clarke's appearance in an EFL Trophy tie against Luton last month, which Swindon won 1-0.
The 33-year-old midfielder was still serving a seven-game ban at the time, but the club believed the suspension didn't apply to that particular competition.
It turns out they were wrong.
Clarke had originally been hit with the lengthy ban by the FA for what was described as "highly violating and intentional foul play" on the "private body parts" of two opponents during a Carabao Cup match against Cardiff City back in August.
The Robins were slapped with a £1,000 fine for fielding their ineligible captain.
🗣️ "Have a look at yourselves"
— BBC Wiltshire Sport (@BBCWiltsSport) January 31, 2026
A furious post-match reaction from Ian Holloway on Ollie Clarke's ban being announced on the eve of today's win over Barrow.
Hear his full reaction on @BBCSounds 🎧
👉 https://t.co/504V4jL6Me#STFC #BBCFootball #BBCEFL pic.twitter.com/NeREpzmCGt
Holloway blamed an administrative mix-up for the confusion, insisting his team beat Luton "fair and poxy square."
But the drama doesn't end there.
Swindon face another hearing on Monday over a second charge of fielding an ineligible player – this time involving substitute Aaron Drinan, who came on at half-time despite not being named on the official teamsheet.
Holloway leapt to the defence of club secretary Alisha Henry, who he says made a simple error on the system.
"She made one mistake by pressing the wrong button, and the wrong name went down on these horrible computers that are going to take over the world in the end," he fumed.
"So I forgive her that mistake, but the referee and the fourth official let her down at half-time, and the portal let her down."
The club could potentially be thrown out of the EFL Trophy altogether.
Swindon captain Ollie Clarke was initially banned following incidents involving contact with opponents' "private body parts"
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Holloway didn't stop there, turning his fury towards the relationship between English football's two governing bodies.
"The pair of them don't even get on anyway – the FA or the EFL do not get on. They don't like each other. It's a joke," he declared.
The manager accused officials of "hiding" and "blaming everyone else" rather than taking responsibility.
"I've earned my stripes, man... I'm not having our club secretary dragged through the coals, left, right and centre. You have a look at yourselves first. I know how wrong you are. You cowards."
Ian Holloway, who is not afraid to hold back, also blasted the FA and EFL's relationship
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Despite all the chaos surrounding his squad, Holloway's men still managed to secure a comfortable win over Barrow.
"It's a siege mentality in my head now, absolutely totally and utterly," he added.