In professional football, managing squad discipline and accountability remains a key priority to prevent competitive standards from dropping.
Everton took the decision to exclude star forward Jack Grealish from the squad for their Carabao Cup fourth round clash against Newcastle United, according to reports.
The 31-year-old forward is currently on a second consecutive season-long loan from Premier League champions Manchester City, having established himself as a key player for David Moyes' side.
Grealish was not greatly missed by the Toffees, as they eased to a comfortable victory over Newcastle in front of their fans at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Why Jack Grealish was left out against Newcastle
Along with their announcement of the line-up for the game against the Magpies, Everton provided updates on a pair of absentees for the clash.
Defender Jarrad Branthwaite's absence was explained by the fact that he remains under concussion protocols, following his collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on October 17th.
In the case of Grealish, the club stated that he was absent due to a "breach of club discipline".
Grealish's last appearance for Everton was in the Chelsea game, as he was absent from the squad that took on reigning league champions Arsenal last weekend due to an illness.
Sources confirmed that the breach of club discipline stemmed from an unauthorised absence from a team training session.
The omission adds to a frustrating period for the playmaker, who has yet to have the impact that he did during his loan spell with the club last season.
He managed two goals and six assists across 22 appearances for the club, catching the eye with his instant impact before a foot injury cut short his loan spell at the club last season.
He has shown flashes of his creative best since returning to Merseyside on loan, but has yet to register a single goal contribution so far this season.
This sudden setback will test his relationship with Moyes and his coaching staff, who pushed for him to join them and handed him the number 10 shirt.
No Grealish, no problem for Everton
Everton have booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after a measured display against Newcastle.
The Toffees ran out 3-1 winners and will take on League Two side Fleetwood Town, who eliminated Arsenal, in the next round of the competition.
They went ahead after just over half an hour through midfielder James Garner, whose curled shot from inside the box found the far corner.
A second goal followed before the break, as Hayden Hackney scored his first goal for the club with a volley from close range.
Thierno Barry added his name to the scoresheet in the 69th minute with a composed effort after an assist from Kieran Dewsbury-Hall.
Newcastle got a consolation goal in the 88th minute through captain Dan Burn, who headed home from close range.
