The EFL will not change its rules to allow Marc Guehi to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Sky Sports News understands, despite appeals from Pep Guardiola.
City have set up a Wembley showdown with Arsenal for the trophy after thumping Newcastle 5-1 on aggregate in their semi-final. However, new signing Guehi isn't eligible to play in the final as he was bought from Crystal Palace after the first leg of the semis.
Carabao Cup rules - implemented for the first time this season - state if a player is signed after the first leg of the semi-final that he is ineligible to play in the remainder of the competition.
Speaking after City had booked their place in the final, Guardiola said he could not "understand" the rule and that he hoped City would write to the EFL to appeal for his £20m defender to be available to face Arsenal on March 22. But any request is set to be rejected.
Guehi has previously featured in the competition for Crystal Palace this season, playing in each of their three ties, including the quarter-final defeat to Arsenal.
"Hopefully in March, we can arrive with the players fit and hopefully you can convince the Carabao Cup that Marc Guehi can play in the final," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "Because it's difficult to understand that the club who make a big investment to pay one player who belongs to us and I don't understand why he cannot play the final.
"So, hopefully we write a letter, and hopefully the Carabao Cup can understand. He's not able to play for a rule that I don't understand why. Hopefully, they can change it."
Antoine Semenyo, who City signed for £62.5m from Bournemouth before the semi-final first-leg with Newcastle will be available to play in the final. He represented Bournemouth in their Carabao Cup second round defeat to Brentford in August.
Under previous rules, players were only permitted to play for one club, which would have ruled Semenyo out of the final.
Sky Sports pundit Shay Given called the situation "farcical" and said it was unfair for Semenyo to have a shot at lifting the trophy when he signed just 10 days before Guehi, arguing either both players should be cup-tied or available for the final.
"I don't think Semenyo should be allowed to play either," said Given. "Once you play in the competition, you shouldn't be allowed to play [again for another team]. He should be cup-tied like it's always been.
"But it's one rule for Semenyo and one rule for Guehi.
"If Guehi has played already for Palace, the same as Semenyo has already played for Bournemouth, he should be allowed to play in the final [like Semenyo].
"Next month, Semenyo can get his hands on the trophy, Guehi, joins a week later, can't. I don't want to use the word farcical - but I've used it!"
However, Micah Richards added: "Rules are rules. I understand Pep's frustrations because you've just spent all that money on a player and you want him to play. But rules are rules."
What does Man City's schedule look prior to the Carabao Cup final?
Man City will face Premier League title rivals Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on March 22, live on Sky Sports, for the chance to win the first piece of silverware this season - but what is City's fixture schedule like in the lead up to that show-piece event?
- Feb 28: Leeds (a) - Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm - live on Sky Sports
- March 4: Nottingham Forest (h) - Premier League, kick-off 7.30pm
- March 10/11: TBC - Champions League last 16, 8pm
- March 14: West Ham (a) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
- March 17/18: TBC - Champions League last 16, 8pm
