Cork striker Aaron Drinan unwittingly at centre of team-sheet controversy

Drinan’s introduction as a substitute for Swindon Town caused controversy as he wasn’t listed on the teamsheet for the Vertu Cup clash with Luton Town

Swindon Town manager Ian Holloway called the situation "a major whoopsie by the officials". Pic: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Corkman Aaron Drinan found himself at the centre of a bizarre eligibility row that could see his Swindon Town side kicked out of the Vertu Cup.

High-flying Swindon beat Luton Town on Tuesday to reach the quarter-final but Drinan’s introduction as a substitute caused controversy as their top scorer wasn’t listed on the teamsheet. 

Drinan, based in England since joining Ipswich Town from Waterford in 2018, was on the field for 15 minutes – during which saw Swindon take the lead through Filozofe Mabete’s - before his presence was then brought to the attention of referee Peter Wright by the fourth official.

The games was stopped for eight minutes, during which the referee discussed the matter with the two managers, Ian Holloway of Swindon and Luton’s Jack Wilshere.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t know what to make of it, but I thought it took too long,” said former Arsenal playmaker Wilshere, in charge of a Luton side a tier above League Two Swindon.

"We have to come to a decision quicker. We’re either going to play or we’re not going to play and I wanted to play, I wanted to carry on playing.

“I think we can get there quicker and it keeps the flow in the game, but they’ve obviously made a mistake and I don’t know the rules but we have to trust that the EFL will look at it, will investigate it and will come to the right decision.

He added, in comments to Luton Today: “I’m trying to focus on the performance, of course that’s a major talking point, I understand that, but we just have to trust the EFL and when they investigate it, let’s see.

“I remember before the game when we were looking and their teamsheet came through, Powelly (Chris Powell, assistant) actually noticed it and said that he’s not there as we know that he’s one of their better players, but we still didn't notice when he was on the pitch, so I don't know the answer.” 

Holloway was left perplexed by the situation: “When we used to write the team-sheet down, it was never wrong,” he told the BBC. “But when it’s on a Ipad and not shown to us, how can I say that’s my team?

“It’s a major whoopsie by the officials, I would suggest. So is that us?”