Manchester City plan to approach the English Football League for special permission to allow Marc Guéhi to feature in the Carabao Cup final, Pep Guardiola has revealed.
City secured their Wembley showdown against Arsenal in March after a 5-1 aggregate victory over Newcastle on Wednesday.
Guéhi was ineligible to play against Eddie Howe’s side, and Guardiola described the rule preventing the 25-year-old from featuring in the final as “difficult to understand,” since he was not registered before the first leg of the semifinal.
In contrast, Antoine Semenyo, who joined City from Bournemouth in January, is eligible because his transfer was completed before the semifinal first leg at St James’ Park on January 13.
“Hopefully we can convince the Carabao Cup (EFL) that Marc can play the final,” Guardiola said.
As things currently stand, Guéhi will be unable to appear for Manchester City in the final.
“I don’t understand why he cannot play the final. Hopefully we make a letter.
“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. It is difficult to understand.”
Although Semenyo played in both legs against Newcastle, Guéhi was barred from the second leg despite already featuring in two Premier League matches for City following his move from Crystal Palace.
Guardiola admitted he does not expect the England defender to be cleared for the March 22 final but has urged the club to request permission.
“I said to the club, they have to ask, definitely,” he added.
“Marc cannot play the second leg because he didn’t play the first. And Antoine arrived before the first so could play. And now it’s the final. Why should he not play? Why not? We pay his salary, he is our player.”
