EFL have had to kick West Ham United out of Papa John’s Trophy after initially making the knockout stages it’s since been confirmed.
The Hammers’ under-21s have been booted out of the competition after fielding an ineligible player, with the club being docked three points for the indiscretion.
It occurred when 20 year old defender Ajibola Alese played in their final group game against Gillingham last month.
The EFL Board has determined that West Ham United under 21’s will receive a 3-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 26 October.#EFL https://t.co/wApir3WEHV
— EFL Communications (@EFL_Comms) November 10, 2021
The youngster was not allowed to play that game after receiving two yellow cards in each of the previous group fixtures.
Despite that, he played the full 90 minutes against the Gills – a game West Ham won 2-0 to take them to six points.
Now, after being docked three points, West Ham’s total is reduced to three. It means that Ipswich overtake them as group winners with a tally of five points.
Ajibola Alese played in West Ham’s final group game despite being ineligible due to suspension
League Two outfit Colchester United are the beneficiaries as they jump from third to second, with four points. They will now replace West Ham in the last-32.
An EFL statement said: “The EFL Board has determined that West Ham United under 21’s will receive a 3-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 26 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 under 21’s 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 3-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 3 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.”
The draw for the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy takes place on Saturday afternoon.
Fans reacted as the EFL kick West Ham out of Papa John’s Trophy after initially making the knockout stages…
@cambo691: Go the full step and ban all under 21 teams from the tournament
@MattyEdwards12: The whole competition is a joke but how on earth was this not picked up before the game even started?
@uglygame: Bit much for the EFL, which invites 16 Premier League and Championship youth teams to participate in the League 1 and 2 competition, to start making a fuss about eligibility. #BTeamBoycott
@WillJPatterson: The number of B teams knocked out of the Group Stage this year increases to 12. Just 3 out of 16 are in the knockout stage, with Brighton’s place to be determined tonight.
@guroreitens: ban the u21 teams full stop
@IpswichTownFans: Ok get rid of all the U21 teams next season!
@jwar123: Shouldn’t be in it anyway #BTeamBoycott!
@itfczac: WE ARE TOP OF OF THE LEAGUE SAY WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE
@Felstedboy: Thats good as we get a home tie rather than travelling
@CoreySh1elds: That means Colchester get through too 😂😂 fun game yesterday anyway
@S_Barker93: So the PL clubs aren’t just happy to invade the trophy with b teams, they’re now cheating in it. When will this joke of a competition be fucked off.
@JamesKelly2398: Gutted @whujoe
@lawseyitfc: Just kick them all out from next season
GROUP STANDINGS PRIOR TO WEST HAM REMOVAL:
Northern Section
Group A
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Carlisle United (A) | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | +4 | 7 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Hartlepool United (A) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Everton U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | −2 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Morecambe (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | −3 | 1 |
(A) Advances to a further round; (E) Eliminated
31 August 2021 Carlisle United 3–3 (4–3 p) Hartlepool United
14 September 2021 Morecambe 0–1 Everton U21
28 September 2021 Carlisle United 2–0 Everton U21
5 October 2021 Hartlepool United 2–2 (4–2 p) Morecambe
2 November 2021 Hartlepool United 1–0 Everton U21
9 November 2021 Morecambe 0–2 Carlisle United
Group B
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Tranmere Rovers (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Oldham Athletic (A) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 3 | |
| 3 | L2 | Salford City (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | ACA | Leeds United U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 11 | −4 | 3 |
31 August 2021 Oldham Athletic 1–0 Salford City
14 September 2021 Tranmere Rovers 4–1 Leeds United U21
28 September 2021 Oldham Athletic 2–3 Leeds United U21
5 October 2021 Salford City 0–2 Tranmere Rovers
2 November 2021 Salford City 5–3 Leeds United U21
9 November 2021 Tranmere Rovers 3–2 Oldham Athletic
Group C
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Crewe Alexandra (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Shrewsbury Town | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 3 | ACA | Wolves U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | −5 | 2 | |
| 4 | L1 | Wigan Athletic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 1 |
31 August 2021 Shrewsbury Town 0–1 Crewe Alexandra
31 August 2021 Wigan Athletic 0–0 (2–4 p) Wolves U21
5 October 2021 Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Wigan Athletic
5 October 2021 Shrewsbury Town 3–1 Wolves U21
9 November 2021 Crewe Alexandra 3–0 Wolves U21
10 November 2021 Wigan Athletic v Shrewsbury Town
Group D
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Bolton Wanderers (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Port Vale (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | +5 | 6 | |
| 3 | L2 | Rochdale (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | ACA | Liverpool U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 | −12 | 0 |
31 August 2021 Bolton Wanderers 3–2 Port Vale
31 August 2021 Rochdale 4–0 Liverpool U21
5 October 2021 Bolton Wanderers 4–1 Liverpool U21
5 October 2021 Port Vale 1–0 Rochdale
2 November 2021 Rochdale 0–3 Bolton Wanderers
9 November 2021 Port Vale 5–0 Liverpool U21
Group E
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Rotherham United (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | +14 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Doncaster Rovers (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Man City U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | −3 | 3 | |
| 4 | L2 | Scunthorpe United (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | −7 | 0 |
24 August 2021 Scunthorpe United 0–3 Manchester City U21
7 September 2021 Doncaster Rovers 0–6 Rotherham United
21 September 2021 Doncaster Rovers 2–1 Manchester City U21
5 October 2021 Rotherham United 4–1 Scunthorpe United
26 October 2021 Rotherham United 5–0 Manchester City U21
9 November 2021 Scunthorpe United 2–3 Doncaster Rovers
Group F
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Sunderland (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 7 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Lincoln City (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Man Utd U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 3 | |
| 4 | L2 | Bradford City (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 7 | −6 | 2 |
24 August 2021 Lincoln City 3–2 Manchester United U21
31 August 2021 Bradford City 0–3 Lincoln City
5 October 2021 Bradford City 0–3 Manchester United U21
5 October 2021 Lincoln City 1–2 Sunderland
13 October 2021 Sunderland 2–1 Manchester United U21
9 November 2021 Sunderland 1–1 (2–4 p) Bradford City
Group G
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Accrington Stanley (A) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 8 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Fleetwood Town (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 6 | |
| 3 | L2 | Barrow (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 | −1 | 4 | |
| 4 | ACA | Leicester City U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 10 | −9 | 0 |
31 August 2021 Accrington Stanley 2–2 (5–4 p) Barrow
31 August 2021 Fleetwood Town 4–1 Leicester City U21
5 October 2021 Accrington Stanley 5–0 Leicester City U21
5 October 2021 Barrow 1–3 Fleetwood Town
9 November 2021 Barrow 1–0 Leicester City U21
9 November 2021 Fleetwood Town 1–4 Accrington Stanley
Group H
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Sheffield Wednesday (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Harrogate Town (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | |
| 3 | L2 | Mansfield Town (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | ACA | Newcastle United U21 (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 0 |
31 August 2021 Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Newcastle United U21
31 August 2021 Harrogate Town 3–1 Mansfield Town
5 October 2021 Harrogate Town 2–0 Newcastle United U21
5 October 2021 Mansfield Town 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday
9 November 2021 Sheffield Wednesday 4–0 Harrogate Town
9 November 2021 Mansfield Town 6–3 Newcastle United U21
Southern Section
Group A
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | West Ham U21(A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Ipswich Town (A) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 5 | |
| 3 | L2 | Colchester United (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | L1 | Gillingham (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | −3 | 3 |
7 September 2021 Colchester United 0–1 Gillingham
14 September 2021 Ipswich Town 1–2 West Ham United U21
28 September 2021 Colchester United 1–0 West Ham United U21
5 October 2021 Gillingham 0–2 Ipswich Town
26 October 2021 Gillingham 0–2 West Ham United U21
9 November 2021 Ipswich Town 0–0 (4–3 p) Colchester United
Group B
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Sutton United (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Portsmouth (A) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 3 | |
| 3 | L1 | AFC Wimbledon (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | ACA | Crystal Palace U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 3 |
31 August 2021 Sutton United 3–0 Crystal Palace U21
7 September 2021 AFC Wimbledon 5–3 Portsmouth
12 October 2021 Portsmouth 0–2 Sutton United
26 October 2021 AFC Wimbledon 0–2 Crystal Palace U21
9 November 2021 Sutton United 1–0 AFC Wimbledon
9 November 2021 Portsmouth 3–0 Crystal Palace U21
Group C
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | Aston Villa U21 (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | MK Dons (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | |
| 3 | L1 | Burton Albion (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Wycombe Wanderers (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 10 | −8 | 0 |
31 August 2021 Burton Albion 1–2 Milton Keynes Dons
31 August 2021 Wycombe Wanderers 1–3 Aston Villa U21
5 October 2021 Burton Albion 2–4 Aston Villa U21
5 October 2021 Milton Keynes Dons 2–1 Wycombe Wanderers
26 October 2021 Milton Keynes Dons 2–4 Aston Villa U21
9 November 2021 Wycombe Wanderers 0–5 Burton Albion
Group D
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Walsall (A) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | ACA | Brighton U21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 3 | L2 | Forest Green | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | L2 | Northampton Town (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 3 |
31 August 2021 Forest Green Rovers 1–1 (2–4 p) Northampton Town
14 September 2021 Walsall 1–0 Brighton & Hove Albion U21
5 October 2021 Northampton Town 1–1 (2–4 p) Walsall
12 October 2021 Forest Green Rovers 2–2 (5–3 p) Brighton & Hove Albion U21
2 November 2021 Northampton Town 1–2 Brighton & Hove Albion U21
10 November 2021 Walsall v Forest Green Rovers
Group E
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACA | Chelsea U21 (A) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Bristol Rovers | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 3 | |
| 3 | L2 | Exeter City | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Cheltenham Town (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | −2 | 3 |
24 August 2021 Exeter City 1–1 (3–4 p) Chelsea U21
31 August 2021 Bristol Rovers 2–0 Cheltenham Town
5 October 2021 Cheltenham Town 2–2 (2–3 p) Exeter City
13 October 2021 Bristol Rovers 1–2 Chelsea U21
26 October 2021 Cheltenham Town 0–0 (5–4 p) Chelsea U21
10 November 2021 Exeter City v Bristol Rovers
Group F
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Swindon Town (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 2 | +4 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | ACA | Arsenal U21 (A) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 4 | |
| 3 | L2 | Newport County (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Plymouth Argyle (E) | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | −4 | 2 |
31 August 2021 Newport County 2–0 Plymouth Argyle
7 September 2021 Swindon Town 2–1 Arsenal U21
12 October 2021 Newport County 3–4 Arsenal U21
12 October 2021 Plymouth Argyle 1–3 Swindon Town
2 November 2021 Plymouth Argyle 1–1 (5–4 p) Arsenal U21
9 November 2021 Swindon Town 1–0 Newport County
Group G
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L2 | Leyton Orient (A) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | +6 | 9 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Charlton Athletic (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Southampton U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 3 | |
| 4 | L2 | Crawley Town (E) | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 14 | −13 | 0 |
31 August 2021 Charlton Athletic 6–1 Crawley Town
14 September 2021 Leyton Orient 1–0 Southampton U21
5 October 2021 Charlton Athletic 4–1 Southampton U21
5 October 2021 Crawley Town 0–4 Leyton Orient
9 November 2021 Crawley Town 0–4 Southampton U21
9 November 2021 Leyton Orient 1–0 Charlton Athletic
Group H
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Cambridge United (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L2 | Stevenage (A) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 6 | |
| 3 | ACA | Tottenham Hotspur U21 (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 3 | |
| 4 | L1 | Oxford United (E) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 3 |
31 August 2021 Cambridge United 4–1 Oxford United
31 August 2021 Stevenage 3–4 Tottenham Hotspur U21
21 September 2021 Cambridge United 1–0 Tottenham Hotspur U21
5 October 2021 Oxford United 1–2 Stevenage
26 October 2021 Oxford United 3–2 Tottenham Hotspur U21
9 November 2021 Stevenage 1–0 Cambridge United
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