Manchester City Seeks Permission for Guéhi to Play in Carabao Cup Final

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City plans to request special permission from the English Football League (EFL) for Marc Guéhi to compete in the Carabao Cup final, as indicated by Pep Guardiola.

City secured their spot at Wembley by defeating Newcastle with an aggregate score of 5-1, setting up a match against Arsenal in March.

Guéhi was ineligible to play against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side, and Guardiola expressed his confusion regarding the regulations that will also bar the 25-year-old from participating in the final, as he was not registered prior to the first leg of the semifinal.

In contrast, Antoine Semenyo, who also joined in January, will be eligible to play since he signed from Bournemouth before the semifinal’s first leg at St James’ Park on January 13.

“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup (EFL) to allow Marc to play in the final,” Guardiola stated. “I find it difficult to understand why he cannot participate. We plan to submit a formal request.”

“When you invest significantly in a player, it is perplexing that he cannot play due to a rule that doesn’t make sense. We are hopeful for a change in this situation.”

Despite having participated in two Premier League matches since joining from Crystal Palace, Guéhi was ineligible for the second leg against Newcastle. Guardiola, while acknowledging the slim chances of Guéhi being granted permission for the final on March 22, has urged City’s management to pursue the request.

“I told the club they definitely need to ask,” he affirmed. “Marc cannot play in the second leg because he didn’t play in the first. Antoine arrived before the first leg and could participate. So, why should Marc not be allowed to play in the final? He is our player, and we pay his salary.”