Accrington will be fined £5,000 for fielding an ineligible player

Accrington Stanley will be fined £5,000 for fielding an ineligible player

A disciplinary commission appointed under EFL Regulations has ruled that Accrington Stanley will be fined £5,000 for fielding an ineligible player in their opening two fixtures of the season.

The fine will be suspended for 12 months.

The club has pleaded guilty to the charge that Janoi Donacien was not eligible in accordance with EFL regulations for the Sky Bet League Two game against Doncaster Rovers on August 6 and the EFL Cup first round tie with Bradford City three days later. Accrington won both games.

Donacien spent the majority of last season at Newport County having been loaned by his parent club Aston Villa. He left Villa Park in the summer and became a free agent on June 30.

Highlights of Barnet's 2-0 win over Accrington from Sky Bet League Two Highlights of Barnet's 2-0 win over Accrington from Sky Bet League Two

An EFL spokesman said: "The registration of Janoi Donacien had not received international clearance on expiry of his loan at Newport County under regulation 44.2. This constitutes a technical offence and misconduct on the part of the club.

"Following an expedited process and matters put forward in mitigation, the club has accepted the charge and the fine issued will be suspended for a period of 12 months."

Accrington Stanley were ordered to pay all costs.