Barnsley have been thrown out of the FA Cup after they fielded an ineligible player in their first-round replay win over non-league side Horsham.

The League One outfit admitted they had made an ‘administrative error’ and apologised to their fans for the ‘regrettable’ mistake.

Barnsley were held to a 3-3 draw by the seventh-tier team at Oakwell before they comfortably won 3-0 at Horsham in the replay last week.

The Tykes have accepted the charge and are unlikely to appeal. It means Horsham, who play in the Isthmian Premier League, are now just one game away from a potential blockbuster tie against a Premier League team.

The FA confirmed Horsham will go through to the second round, where they will face League Two side Sutton United on December 2.

Seventh-tier side Horsham will now progress to the second round of the FA Cup

Barnsley, who won the FA Cup in 1912, have not confirmed the identity of the player who was deemed ineligible, although the FA said it was because he was not ‘correctly registered’.

In a statement on Wednesday, the club said: ‘Today the FA has advised us that we will no longer be able to participate in the FA Cup this season.

‘An administrative error was brought to our attention regarding the eligibility of a player who played in last Tuesday’s game with Horsham FC. 

‘The club has fully cooperated with the investigation and has accepted the FA’s decision. We have been in contact with Horsham FC and would like to thank the club and Chairman for their understanding and cooperation throughout this process.

‘We would like to apologise to our fans, players and staff for this regrettable error. 

‘This mistake – although unintentional – falls way below the high standards we set at this club and is simply not what you deserve. We have already conducted a full internal investigation and have subsequently put safeguards in place to ensure this will never happen again.’

The FA said: ‘The FA alleged that the player was ineligible for this replay, as he was not correctly registered and eligible for the original first round proper match on Friday 3 November 2023, which constitutes a breach of FA Cup Rule 103.

‘Barnsley admitted this charge and acknowledged that the breach had occurred. The sub-committee’s members ordered that Barnsley be removed from the competition, and that Horsham be awarded the tie and progression to the second round proper.

‘Subject to any appeal by Barnsley, Horsham will now play away to Sutton United in the second round proper on Saturday 2 December 2023.’