Is Antoine Semenyo able to play for Man City vs Newcastle in Carabao Cup semis? Rules explained

• Sport
• Football
• Antoine Semenyo

Need to know

Manchester City have signed Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth before the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United, but can he play in the tie?

Antoine Semenyo has signed for Man City four days before the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United(Image: SmartFrame/Manchester City FC)

Everything you need to know about Antoine Semenyo'seligibility to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Newcastle United

1. Manchester City have said Antoine Semenyo can play for the club in their Carabao Cup semi-final tie against Newcastle United. After confirming the signing, they said: "He will be available to feature immediately for City and is also eligible to play in next Tuesday's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Newcastle."
2. Semenyo, however, has already played for Bournemouth in this season's competition. The forward came on as a substitute in their second round match against Brentford, which they lost 2-0 in late August.
3. Players have previously become cup-tied when transferring to another club after already representing another in the same season. Rule 6.4 stated that "No registered player shall play for more than one club in the competition in any one season".
4. However, the rule changed at the start of this season. It now reads: "A registered player shall be permitted to play for up to two clubs in the competition in any one season".
5. The EFL then outlines the three scenarios in which such a player would be eligible, and Rule 6.4.2 is the one that applies to Semenyo. That is because he "has appeared for his parent or loan club in the competition prior to the closure of the Winter Transfer Window or the first leg of the semi-final (whichever is sooner) and has either been recalled by the parent club or subsequently moved to a different club on a temporary loan transfer (or temporary transfer where a Premier League club) or permanent transfer prior to the closure of the winter transfer window, or the first leg of the semi-final (whichever is sooner).
6. In short, the first leg of the semi-final, which is on Tuesday, comes before the closure of the winter transfer window on 2 February. Semenyo played for Bournemouth before then and has now moved to a different club, Man City, on a permanent transfer before the first leg.
7. Shirt number, Erling Haaland, Hugo Viana risk - Inside Antoine Semenyo transfer to Man City