EFL Stand Firm as Manchester City's Marc Guehi Plea Rejected for Carabao Cup Final
The Football League has delivered a definitive blow to Manchester City, rejecting the club's request to allow new signing Marc Guehi to feature in the upcoming Carabao Cup final against Arsenal. This decision comes despite a passionate appeal from City manager Pep Guardiola, who labelled the ruling as illogical and frustrating for the Premier League champions.
Rule Change Creates Controversial Ineligibility
At the heart of the dispute is a tweak to EFL regulations this season. The rule now permits players to appear for two different clubs in the competition within a single campaign, a change that allowed Antoine Semenyo to play both legs of City's semi-final against Newcastle United after his transfer. However, this provision has worked against City in the case of Guehi.
The central defender completed his potential £30 million move to the Etihad Stadium after the first leg of the semi-final. This timing, under the specific wording of the rule, renders him ineligible not only for the second leg but also for the final scheduled for March 22nd at Wembley Stadium.
Guardiola's Fury and City's Failed Appeal
Pep Guardiola made his displeasure abundantly clear following City's emphatic 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle, which secured their final berth. He argued it was "pure logic" that a player purchased for a significant fee during an open transfer window should be available for selection.
"I don't understand why he cannot play the final," Guardiola stated. "You buy a player for a lot of money and he is not able to play for a rule I don't understand." The City boss confirmed the club would formally ask the EFL to reconsider, but those pleas have now fallen on deaf ears. The League has maintained its position, insisting there will be no special dispensation or rule change to accommodate Guehi's participation.
Defensive Crisis Compounds City's Final Woes
The rejection represents a significant setback for Guardiola's tactical plans. City are already contending with an injury crisis in defence, missing key figures like Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Josko Gvardiol. Guehi's enforced absence further depletes their options for the high-stakes showdown with Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.
This ruling undoubtedly hands a psychological and practical boost to their London rivals ahead of the first domestic trophy decider of the season. While City can still call upon other squad members, the inability to field a major new signing in a cup final is a rare and unwelcome constraint for the club's hierarchy.
A Question of Sporting Integrity Versus Club Investment
The situation highlights a tension in modern football governance. Clubs invest heavily in the January transfer window to strengthen for crucial end-of-season fixtures, yet competition rules can sometimes nullify that immediate strategic benefit. The EFL's stance prioritises the consistency and integrity of its competition rules over the desires of individual member clubs, even one of Manchester City's stature.
For now, Marc Guehi must watch from the sidelines as his teammates prepare for the Wembley final, a scenario that Guardiola and City will find difficult to accept as they pursue another piece of silverware.
