Manchester City is set to appeal to the English Football League (EFL) for special permission to allow defender Marc Guéhi to participate in the upcoming Carabao Cup final. The appeal follows the club’s successful advancement to the final, scheduled for March 22, 2024, against Arsenal at Wembley. Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his confusion over the rules that currently bar Guéhi from playing due to his registration status prior to the semifinal.
Guéhi, who joined City in January, was ineligible for the semifinal against Newcastle United, which took place on January 13, 2024. Guardiola stated that the regulations that prevent Guéhi from competing in the final are “difficult to understand.” He pointed out that another new signing, Antoine Semenyo, was eligible to play in both legs against Newcastle because he was registered before the first leg.
“Hopefully we can convince the EFL that Marc can play in the final,” Guardiola remarked. He further emphasized the frustration felt by the club, noting, “You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don’t understand. Hopefully they can change it.”
While Semenyo has already played in two matches for Manchester City since his arrival, Guéhi’s situation is more complicated due to his registration timing. Despite playing for his new team, he was not included in the roster for the second leg against Newcastle, leading to his current ineligibility for the final.
Guardiola acknowledged that he does not hold much hope for a favorable outcome regarding Guéhi’s appeal but has urged club officials to take action. “I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely. Marc cannot play the second leg because he didn’t play the first. And now it’s the final. Why should he not play? We pay his salary; he is our player,” he stated.
As Manchester City prepares for one of the most significant matches of the season, the outcome of this appeal could have a substantial impact on their performance. The club remains hopeful that the EFL will consider their request to allow Guéhi to take part in the highly anticipated final.
