By Martin Graham
Manchester City Coach Pep Guardiola has asked the English Football League to reconsider its regulations so that Marc Guehi can play in the Carabao Cup final against arsenal.
The defender was not available for the second leg of the semi-finals against Newcastlewhich City won 5-1 on aggregate, and is also currently banned from the Wembley showdown on March 22.
Guardiola argued that the restriction makes little sense, insisting that the situation deserves fresh consideration by the competition’s organisers.
Eligibility rules under control
City have completed the signing of the 25-year-old England centre-back from Crystal Palace after taking a 2-0 lead in the first leg of their semi-final against Newcastle.
Under current tournament guidelines, players must be registered before the winter transfer deadline or before the first leg of the semi-finals, whichever is earlier, to be cleared for subsequent rounds.
As the move was finalized after that cut-off point, Guehi has been ruled out, a decision Guardiola says he finds difficult to understand.
Guardiola questions fairness
Speaking after the semi-final, Guardiola said he hoped the authorities could be convinced to allow the defender’s involvement, and stressed that City had invested a lot and now employ the player.
He contrasted the case of Guehi with that of the arrival of January Antoine Semenyowho joined from Bournemouth days before the first leg and was therefore allowed to play, even scoring in that game.
Guardiola maintained that once a footballer is signed within an open transfer window, logic suggests he should be eligible, adding that the club intends to formally raise the issue despite expecting resistance.
The above changes highlight the debate
This season has already seen tweaks to competition regulations, including an overhaul that removed traditional restrictions linked to the cup.
This modification allowed the likes of Semenyo and Max Alleyne to represent City in the semi-finals, even after previous appearances by other clubs in the same tournament.
Guardiola pointed to this precedent as proof that the rules can evolve, although he acknowledged uncertainty over whether another change would be approved in time for the final.
