Swindon ‘strongly condemn’ decision to ban Ollie Clarke for seven games over alleged incidents

Swindon City ‘strongly condemn’ the choice to ban Ollie Clarke for seven video games over two alleged incidents within the sport towards Cardiff Metropolis.

The Robins captain Ollie Clarke has additionally been hit with a £2,750 fantastic by an unbiased FA Regulatory Fee for alleged improper and/or indecent behaviour in the direction of Cardiff gamers throughout their Carabao Cup assembly on the twelfth of August 2025.

Regardless of Clarke admitting the fees, Swindon have issued a powerful assertion condemning the choice, arguing it was based mostly on the decrease “steadiness of possibilities” normal relatively than “past cheap doubt”.

The membership maintains Clarke’s innocence, saying that the prolonged course of has had an affect on the footballer’s psychological well-being, whereas additionally exhibiting full help for the 33 12 months previous. Written causes for the sanction might be printed by the Soccer Affiliation later.

Swindon misplaced 2-1 by Cardiff in the course of the first spherical of the Carabao Cup, with Clarke approaching instead at half-time and acquired booked within the 52nd minute.

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— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 19, 2025

STATEMENT FROM THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION:

“Regulation and Self-discipline Replace: An unbiased Regulatory Fee has sanctioned Swindon City FC’s Oliver Clarke for 2 incidents of misconduct that passed off throughout their EFL Cup tie towards Cardiff Metropolis FC on Tuesday 12 August.

“It was alleged that the midfielder acted in an improper method and/or used indecent behaviour in the direction of an opposing participant across the 57th minute and one other opposing participant across the 94th minute.

“Oliver Clarke admitted the fees towards him, and the Regulatory Fee imposed a seven-match suspension and a £2,750 fantastic following a listening to.

“The Regulatory Fee’s written causes relating to the choice might be printed in the end.”

Membership Assertion: Ollie Clarke

— Swindon City Soccer Membership (@Official_STFC) December 19, 2025

STATEMENT BY SWINDON:

“Swindon City Soccer Membership strongly condemns the choice of an unbiased regulatory panel to sanction Ollie Clarke and impose a seven-match suspension following two alleged incidents throughout our Carabao Cup fixture towards Cardiff Metropolis on 12 August 2025.

“The Membership believes the choice falls in need of the usual of proof past cheap doubt and was as an alternative based mostly on the steadiness of possibilities. All through this prolonged course of, Ollie Clarke has persistently maintained his innocence, a place that has by no means wavered.

“We’re involved by the extended nature of the proceedings and the affect this course of has had on Ollie’s psychological well-being.

“As a membership captain, Ollie’s character and integrity have by no means been in query, and he continues to have the complete help of the membership, the administration, and his teammates.

“Swindon City will proceed to help Ollie Clarke absolutely within the aftermath of this choice.”

Swindon boss Ian Holloway spoke of Ollie Clarke and his place on the pitch, previous to the announcement of his seven sport ban.

He mentioned to the media on Friday afternoon: “I don’t assume Ollie offers one hoop about the place he performs, so long as he’s within the staff. I believe irrespective of, together with his expertise, so long as he’s on the market, we usually do nicely, however he’s an excellent midfield participant.

“His calves final 12 months, once I first acquired right here, have been inflicting him issues. This 12 months, contact wooden, he’s modified his orthotics in his footwear, he has acquired a lot softer ones, and he’s not feeling one drawback, and he seems like he can outrun all people. To be sincere, he ain’t going to show something to me. I’ve already mentioned he’s my Rodri, as a result of we will’t win with out him at occasions.

“However we’ve proved that mistaken as nicely. So it’s a great group. They’re working onerous, and I need to see them develop mentally and bodily. We’re not even midway by way of the season but, so I simply should remind all people that. We’ve acquired so many video games in the remainder of December and January that might journey us up if we cease doing what we’re actually good at, which is chasing and dealing onerous for one another and caring. That’s that’s the largest factor. And if anyone desires to ask me, was that right here final 12 months, I don’t assume it was now, however it’s now.”

Learn extra of what Ian Holloway needed to say in his press convention forward of this weekend’s sport towards Crawley through Swindon Advertiser HERE.

Clarke has to this point made 22 appearances in all competitions for Swindon, scoring 4 targets, his most up-to-date coming within the earlier outcome, a 3-0 win over Bristol Rovers, serving to Swindon to third place within the League Two desk.