Cup-tied
Encyclopedia
Cup-tied is an adjective, used primarily in association football, to describe a player who is ineligible to play in a knockout cup competition after transferring from another club during that competition.
The rule applies to individual cup competitions, such that a player who plays in the English FA Cup
, but not the Football League Cup
, for example, is cup-tied only in the former competition. If the player signs for a new club in the same season, he or she is thus eligible for the Football League Cup
but not the FA Cup
. UEFA
club football regulations state that, with very few exceptions, players who play in a European Club competition are subsequently cup-tied with respect to all European football for the remainder of the season.
The main current exception is the European Super Cup
, contested by the winners of the previous seasons UEFA Champions League
and UEFA Europa League. Representing a club in this fixture does not affect a player's eligibility. Similarly, cup-tying did not apply in any matches in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup
before the semifinal round. Further, as per Champions League regulation 17.18, one player per club who would normally be cup-tied can be registered and eligible to play, so long as his previous club did not field him in the same competition, meaning that this player can represent two different clubs in the UEFA Europa League and Champions League. However, if the first club fielded him in the Champions League, but would later play in the UEFA Cup through finishing third in the group stage, the transferred player is ineligible to play in the Europa Cup. This was the case with Alan Hutton
who could not play in Europe for Tottenham Hotspur
following his former club Rangers'
entry into the cup. Another interesting case came in 2009, when Real Madrid purchased both Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra
– both of whom had already played European football during the season for Ajax and Portsmouth
respectively – during the winter transfer window. Because of UEFA rules, Madrid had to pick one player via regulation 17.18, and ended up selecting Diarra for their European roster. Despite the rule, Real Madrid
attempted to circumvent the restriction, to no avail.
against Cardiff City FC, and in previous rounds, former Portsmouth player Jermain Defoe
was cup-tied and was unable to play. Portsmouth won the Cup final . There were similar cases with Earl Barrett's
transfer to 1995 FA Cup winners Everton
from Aston Villa and when Robbie Fowler
was cup-tied for the victorious Liverpool F.C.
team of 2006 after his earlier transfer from Manchester City.
In another instance, Ronaldo
was forced to buy out his contract with Real Madrid
to move to A.C. Milan
; he was cup-tied to Madrid in the Champions League which decreased his value to Milan. A.C. Milan went on to win the tournament, but Ronaldo was not allowed to play in any of their games. Andrei Arshavin was cup-tied in the Champions League after moving to Arsenal during the January 2009 transfer window, having earlier represented Zenit St. Petersburg in the group stages of that competition. Another Liverpool
example, this time in the UEFA Champions League
, Fernando Morientes
was cup-tied for their games leading up to, and including the final of the competition in 2005, in which Liverpool won. This was due to Morientes playing in the group stages of the competition with Real Madrid
.
Breaching the cup-tied rule can result in a result being declared invalid, with serious consequences for the offending club. In the 1999-2000
Football League Cup
West Ham United were ordered to replay a match they had won against Aston Villa, after bringing on as a substitute Emmanuel Omoyinmi
, who had appeared for Gillingham in an earlier round. West Ham lost the replay.
Football associations reserve the right to waive this rule, but rarely exercise it. A notable example is that of Stan Crowther
and Ernie Taylor who would normally have been ineligible to play for Manchester United in 1958 cup competition, but who were allowed to play following the Munich air disaster
, in which eight United players died and two others were so seriously injured that they never played again.
. In 2004-05, Liverpool's Michael Owen
sat out of his club's Champions League games so that other top European teams would be able to sign him; he succeeded in transferring to Real Madrid. Ironically, Madrid were knocked out by Juventus in the first round, whom Liverpool defeated on their way to win the Champions League that season. The following season, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez
again decided to keep one of his players, Milan Baroš
, out of Liverpool's squad for their 2005-06 UEFA Champions League
ties in order to retain his value to clubs interested in purchasing the Czech
striker
's services. (Baroš eventually moved to Aston Villa
, who were not involved in the Champions League.)
or UEFA Europa League.
Others argue that a purchasing team ought to be able to field its new player as it sees fit, and his or her eligibility for cup competition ought not to be affected by the matches played for previous clubs.
Application
In virtually all domestic and international club cup competitions, any player who makes an appearance for a club at any stage of the competition is "tied" to that club for all future matches during that season in the same competition. This prevents a wealthy, still competing team from gaining an unfair advantage by signing talented players from clubs that may have lost out in earlier rounds, in an attempt to increase their cup chances.The rule applies to individual cup competitions, such that a player who plays in the English FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
, but not the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, for example, is cup-tied only in the former competition. If the player signs for a new club in the same season, he or she is thus eligible for the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
but not the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
club football regulations state that, with very few exceptions, players who play in a European Club competition are subsequently cup-tied with respect to all European football for the remainder of the season.
The main current exception is the European Super Cup
European Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football game between the reigning champions of the two cup competitions organized by UEFA: the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League...
, contested by the winners of the previous seasons UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and UEFA Europa League. Representing a club in this fixture does not affect a player's eligibility. Similarly, cup-tying did not apply in any matches in the now-defunct UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
before the semifinal round. Further, as per Champions League regulation 17.18, one player per club who would normally be cup-tied can be registered and eligible to play, so long as his previous club did not field him in the same competition, meaning that this player can represent two different clubs in the UEFA Europa League and Champions League. However, if the first club fielded him in the Champions League, but would later play in the UEFA Cup through finishing third in the group stage, the transferred player is ineligible to play in the Europa Cup. This was the case with Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton
Alan Hutton is a Scottish footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Scotland national football team.-Rangers:...
who could not play in Europe for Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
following his former club Rangers'
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
entry into the cup. Another interesting case came in 2009, when Real Madrid purchased both Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarra
Lassana Diarra
Lassana "Lass" Diarra is a French footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid. His predominant position is defensive midfielder but he can also play in a more advanced role and has played at right back, which he occasionally did for former clubs Chelsea, as well as France.-Early career:Diarra...
– both of whom had already played European football during the season for Ajax and Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
respectively – during the winter transfer window. Because of UEFA rules, Madrid had to pick one player via regulation 17.18, and ended up selecting Diarra for their European roster. Despite the rule, Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
attempted to circumvent the restriction, to no avail.
Examples
In the 2008 FA Cup FinalFA Cup Final
The FA Cup Final, commonly referred to in England as just the Cup Final, is the last match in the Football Association Challenge Cup. With an official attendance of 89,826 at the 2007 FA Cup Final, it is the fourth best attended domestic club championship event in the world and the second most...
against Cardiff City FC, and in previous rounds, former Portsmouth player Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe
Jermain Colin Defoe is an English footballer who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, and the England national football team....
was cup-tied and was unable to play. Portsmouth won the Cup final . There were similar cases with Earl Barrett's
Earl Barrett
Earl Delisser Barrett is an English former footballer who played in the Football League and Premier League for Manchester City, Chester City, Oldham Athletic, Aston Villa, Everton, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday. He played mainly at right back though could also adapt to a central...
transfer to 1995 FA Cup winners Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
from Aston Villa and when Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
was cup-tied for the victorious Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
team of 2006 after his earlier transfer from Manchester City.
In another instance, Ronaldo
Ronaldo
Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima , commonly known as Ronaldo, is a retired Brazilian footballer who last played for Corinthians. Ronaldo is widely considered to be the greatest 'pure' striker in the history of the modern game, and by some accounts, in the history of football. Ronaldo was one of the...
was forced to buy out his contract with Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
to move to A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
; he was cup-tied to Madrid in the Champions League which decreased his value to Milan. A.C. Milan went on to win the tournament, but Ronaldo was not allowed to play in any of their games. Andrei Arshavin was cup-tied in the Champions League after moving to Arsenal during the January 2009 transfer window, having earlier represented Zenit St. Petersburg in the group stages of that competition. Another Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
example, this time in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, Fernando Morientes
Fernando Morientes
Fernando Morientes Sánchez is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a striker.His main asset was his aerial and strong goalscoring abilities. He played for a number of clubs throughout his career, including Real Madrid, Monaco, Liverpool, and Valencia...
was cup-tied for their games leading up to, and including the final of the competition in 2005, in which Liverpool won. This was due to Morientes playing in the group stages of the competition with Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
.
Breaching the cup-tied rule can result in a result being declared invalid, with serious consequences for the offending club. In the 1999-2000
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
West Ham United were ordered to replay a match they had won against Aston Villa, after bringing on as a substitute Emmanuel Omoyinmi
Emmanuel Omoyinmi
Emmanuel 'Manny' Omoyinmi is a Nigerian born English former footballer. He also played for England Schoolboys. He began his career at West Ham United, where he was most noted for an incident in which he played in a League Cup quarter-final game when ineligible; West Ham were later knocked out of...
, who had appeared for Gillingham in an earlier round. West Ham lost the replay.
Football associations reserve the right to waive this rule, but rarely exercise it. A notable example is that of Stan Crowther
Stan Crowther (footballer)
Stanley "Stan" Crowther is an English former footballer who played in the Football League for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion during the 1950s and early 1960s...
and Ernie Taylor who would normally have been ineligible to play for Manchester United in 1958 cup competition, but who were allowed to play following the Munich air disaster
Munich air disaster
The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes",...
, in which eight United players died and two others were so seriously injured that they never played again.
Manipulation
Managers' decisions on whether to field a player can be affected by the potential effect on the player's eligibility for other clubs later in the season. There are two major motivations for deciding to cup-tie a player or not:To increase a player's value
A team that wishes to transfer a player may deliberately choose not to field him or her in cup competition to ensure (s)he is not cup-tied, increasing the player's usefulness to a club that may be involved in the same competition. Two recent examples of this were in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons, both of which involved English Premier League club LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
. In 2004-05, Liverpool's Michael Owen
Michael Owen
Michael James Owen is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Manchester United.The son of former footballer Terry Owen, Owen began his senior career at Liverpool in 1996. He progressed through the Liverpool youth team and scored on his debut in May 1997...
sat out of his club's Champions League games so that other top European teams would be able to sign him; he succeeded in transferring to Real Madrid. Ironically, Madrid were knocked out by Juventus in the first round, whom Liverpool defeated on their way to win the Champions League that season. The following season, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez
Rafael Benítez
Rafael "Rafa" Benítez Maudes is a football manager, and former player. He is currently unemployed, after leaving as manager of Internazionale in December 2010....
again decided to keep one of his players, Milan Baroš
Milan Baroš
Milan Baroš is a Czech footballer who plays as a striker for Galatasaray and the Czech national football team.In the 2008–09 season, Baroš scored 20 goals in Turkish Süper Lig, the highest total in the league...
, out of Liverpool's squad for their 2005-06 UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
ties in order to retain his value to clubs interested in purchasing the Czech
Czech Republic national football team
The Czech Republic national football team represents the Czech Republic in association football and is controlled by the Football Association of the Czech Republic, the governing body for football in the Czech Republic. Their current head coach is Michal Bílek...
striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
's services. (Baroš eventually moved to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
, who were not involved in the Champions League.)
To decrease a player's usefulness
Similarly, although far less often, a team may deliberately cup-tie a player to discourage a transfer during that season. Note, however, that this does not restrict most international transfers; cup-tying is only an issue internationally if both teams involved in the transfer are involved in a continental cup competition such as the UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
or UEFA Europa League.
Criticism
The cup-tied rule comes in for criticism from various fans and media pundits, particularly when a high profile player is ineligible for significant matches. Some argue that the rule is antiquated and that since the introduction of transfer windows, clubs cannot buy players solely for cup matches, but will only do so for the league (in which there is no cup-tie rule).Others argue that a purchasing team ought to be able to field its new player as it sees fit, and his or her eligibility for cup competition ought not to be affected by the matches played for previous clubs.