The Reds won 3-0 in the replay in West Sussex after a 3-3 draw at Oakwell 11 days earlier on November 3. They were due to travel to Sutton United in the second round on December 2.

A Reds statement read: “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 sanction is subject to appeal.

A statement from the Football Association continued: "A Professional Game Board sub-committee has removed Barnsley from the 2023-24 Emirates FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player during their first round proper replay against Horsham on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

"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 November 3, 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."

The Yorkshire Post understands that forward Aiden Marsh - who started in the replay at Horsham - was recalled from a loan spell at National League outfit York City by Barnsley on November 6, three days after the Reds played the first fixture at Oakwell.

The club are not confirming the identity of the player involved.

Commenting on the news, Horsham chairman Kevin Borrett said: "The Barnsley Chairman Neerav Parekh contacted me on Friday November 17 to make the club aware of the administrative error and FA consideration of the matter.

"I understand the immense disappointment that this decision by the FA would be to both Barnsley Football Club and its supporters. On behalf of HFC, I wish Barnsley FC every success in their pursuit of promotion back to the EFL Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.”

Barnsley FC apologise to supporters after being kicked out of FA Cup for fielding an ineligible player in the first-round replay at Horsham