FA launches investigation into English club after player serving seven game suspension plays 77 minutes

The FA contacted Swindon this week regarding their decision to field the 33-year-old midfielder, according to The Sun.

The club reportedly believes Clarke was permitted to participate because the Luton fixture did not appear on the FA's disciplinary portal, meaning his suspension did not apply.

EFL Trophy regulations stipulate that red card offences from "first team competitive matches", including league, FA Cup and Carabao Cup games, are not carried over into the competition.

Clarke's suspension stems from incidents during Swindon's Carabao Cup encounter with Cardiff City on August 12, where he was found to have committed "highly invasive" and "violating" acts against two opposition players.

One Cardiff player was left "very emotional and struggling to speak" following the incident, approaching referee Elliot Bell while "visibly upset" to report the incident.

The Independent Regulatory Commission determined there was "no plausible explanation" for Clarke's conduct.

They described the touching of opponents' private body parts during play, particularly when the ball was dead, as "highly invasive, intrusive and violating."

Although Clarke admitted the charges, he maintained both incidents were unintentional — a defence the panel rejected.

The FA characterised the misconduct as "extremely serious and unusual," imposing a £2,750 fine alongside the lengthy ban.

The Luton fixture was already mired in controversy before questions arose over Clarke's eligibility.

Striker Aaron Drinan entered the match as a second-half substitute despite his name being absent from the official team sheet.

Play was halted in the 67th minute when the error came to light, with Swindon acknowledging an administrative mistake.

Manager Ian Holloway attributed the blunder to connectivity problems at Kenilworth Road, claiming he was unable to update his squad selection on his iPad due to Luton's WiFi.

The 62-year-old described the incident as a "major whoopsie" and offered to withdraw Drinan immediately, though Luton boss Jack Wilshere indicated this was unnecessary and allowed the substitute to remain on the pitch.

The manager said: "Holloway has vigorously defended his captain while attacking the FA's handling of the case. I vouched for his character, and I know he's competitive, and he wouldn't have meant anything that he's allegedly done."

He condemned the disciplinary process as "disgraceful," arguing the governing body "drew it out" before imposing what he considers an excessive punishment.

Holloway added: "I would have rather they reported him to the police, and the police would have let him off, because there's no evidence, simple as that."

He labelled the ban "ridiculous" while praising Clarke as a "hard-working and aggressive" player.

South Wales Police confirmed on Wednesday they had no involvement in the matter.

Swindon chief executive Anthony Hall declined to comment further, he said: "The matter is in the hands of our legal team."

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