Pep Guardiola has urged the English Football League to amend its rules to allow Manchester City defender Marc Guéhi to compete in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
Guéhi is currently ineligible for the final at Wembley Stadium on March 22, having joined City from Crystal Palace following their 2-0 win over Newcastle in the first leg of the semi-finals.
According to the BBC, Carabao Cup regulations require players to be registered before the winter transfer window closes or before the first leg of the semi-final, whichever comes first, in order to compete in the competition.
As a result, the England center-back missed both legs of City’s 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle, and he is also expected to miss the final.
Guardiola questioned the logic of the rule following Wednesday’s second-leg triumph and said that the club would request that the EFL review Guéhi’s eligibility.
“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc can play the final.
“I don’t understand why he cannot play the final. You buy a player for a lot of money, and he is not able to play because of a rule I don’t understand,” Guardiola said.
The city’s other January addition, Antoine Semenyo, was eligible for the semi-final after joining from Bournemouth four days before the first leg, and he scored in that game.
“Antoine arrived before the first game so he could play. “Now it’s the final. Why should Marc not play? We pay his salary; he is our player,” he added.
Guardiola cited a rule change this season that allowed players to represent multiple clubs, allowing Semenyo and defender Max Alleyne to advance to the semi-finals despite previously playing for Bournemouth and Watford.
When asked if he expected the EFL to grant City’s request, Guardiola expressed doubt.
“No,” he said. “But we will try.”
