Imagine a player scoring an assist in the FA Cup for one team, only to potentially line up for a different club just rounds later in the same tournament. Sounds like a rule-breaker, right? But here's where it gets controversial... Facundo Buonanotte, the talented Argentinian midfielder, finds himself in this exact scenario, leaving fans scratching their heads. Can he really play for Leeds United this weekend after featuring for Chelsea earlier in the competition? The answer, surprisingly, is yes – and it’s all thanks to a recent rule change by the FA that’s shaking up the traditional concept of being ‘cup-tied.’
Buonanotte, who joined Leeds on loan in January after a brief stint at Chelsea, is in line for his first start for the Whites in their FA Cup clash against Birmingham City. This comes despite him playing a key role in Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Charlton Athletic in the third round, where he provided an assist during his 68-minute appearance. Historically, this would have barred him from participating in the tournament for another club this season. And this is the part most people miss... The FA’s updated rules now allow players to represent a maximum of two clubs in the FA Cup, whether in the qualifying rounds or the main competition itself.
The official FA ruling states: ‘A Player shall only play for one Club in the Competition during the same Season, save that a Player that has played for one Club in the Qualifying Competition and/or the Competition Proper may play for a maximum of one other Club in the Competition Proper (but may only play for a maximum of one Club in any given round of the Competition).’ While the wording might seem convoluted, it essentially means players like Buonanotte can switch allegiances mid-tournament, provided they don’t play for more than two clubs overall.
This change has broader implications, too. For instance, Manchester City’s Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo are also eligible to play this weekend despite featuring for Crystal Palace and Bournemouth, respectively, in the third round. It’s a shift that could add an exciting layer of complexity to the competition, allowing clubs to benefit from players who might otherwise have been sidelined.
For Buonanotte, this rule change couldn’t have come at a better time. The 21-year-old has struggled to break into Leeds’ first team, even being left out of the matchday squad entirely for their recent clash against Nottingham Forest. Manager Daniel Farke attributed this to tactical decisions rather than injury, but Buonanotte’s eligibility for Sunday’s game offers him a golden opportunity to prove his worth.
When asked about Buonanotte’s reaction to being dropped, Farke praised the midfielder’s professionalism: ‘Facundo is a top guy, and we're all happy that we have him here, and for that he reacted in the way we expected.’ With squad rotation likely at St Andrew’s, Buonanotte will be eager to make his mark and stake a claim for a regular starting spot.
But here’s the controversial question... Is this rule change a fair move, or does it undermine the spirit of the FA Cup? Some argue it adds flexibility and excitement, while others believe it dilutes the competition’s integrity. What do you think? Should players be allowed to switch clubs mid-tournament, or should the ‘cup-tied’ rule remain sacrosanct? Let us know in the comments below!
