West Ham have been thrown out of the EFL Trophy for fielding an ineligible player.

The Hammers played Ajibola Alese in their Southern Group A game against Gillingham on October 26 when he suspended after receiving two yellow cards in the previous group fixtures.

West Ham have been docked three points and, as a result, are out of the competition.

They have been replaced in the last 32 by League Two side Colchester United.

West Ham have said they “acknowledge the sanctions” received from the FA and EFL.

In a statement, West Ham said: “Clubs are informed of on-field player disciplinary records and suspensions via the FA’s online portal and, despite this not identifying the suspension of the player concerned at the time and therefore the pertinent formal notification from the FA not being provided, the club notes the decisions reached and await the full written reasons.”