Fellaini Cup Tied

Everton's record signing not eligible for the first stages of the Uefa Cup.

Everton's record signing Marouane Fellaini will not be eligible to take part for Everton in the first round or Group Stage of the Uefa Cup.
 
The Blues are set to take on Fellaini's former club Standard Liege in the first round of the tournament later this month but after the midfielder's involvement in their Champions League qualifier with Liverpool last week, he will not be available for selection by David Moyes for the Uefa Cup until January.
 
The £15 million deadline day signing will only be available if Everton progress through to the Round of 32 in the competition, which gets underway in the new year.
 
The rules state that teams are allowed to register one additional player for selection in January if they are to progress beyond the Group Stage stage of the competition. Everton will be eligible to do that with Fellaini.
 
Liege are set to travel to Merseyside on Thursday 18 September to take on Moyes' men, with the second leg set to take place at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne on Thursday 2 October.