The EFL has declined Manchester City’s request to alter registration rules, confirming Marc Guehi will miss the Carabao Cup final despite Pep Guardiola’s public frustration.
The English Football League (EFL) has officially rejected Manchester City’s request to allow Marc Guehi to play in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
Pep Guardiola had urged the club to lobby for a rule change, arguing that the defender’s £20 million transfer fee should justify his inclusion.
However, the EFL confirmed that Guehi remains ineligible because he joined after the semi-final first leg.
While regulations were relaxed this season to allow players to represent two different clubs, the “cut-off” remains the start of the semi-final stage.
This specific caveat enabled fellow January signing Antoine Semenyo to feature against Newcastle but has left Guehi sidelined for the March 22 showpiece.
EFL sources emphasized that no further amendments will be made to accommodate the England international despite City’s formal appeal.