Ian Wright slams FA rules that means Conor Gallagher will miss Chelsea FA Cup semi-final

Arsenal legend Ian Wright says the rules are ‘not fair’ on Crystal Palace star Conor Gallagher who won’t be able to play against parent club Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.

Palace booked their spot in the semi-final with a 4-0 win over Everton to set up a Wembley meeting with the Blues next month.

Gallagher is currently on a season-long loan with Palace and has already had to miss out on both defeats against Chelsea in the league this season due to Premier League rules.

Sadly for Palace and the 22-year-old, FA rules are the same for cup competitions. The rules state: ‘The Association will not give permission for players on loan or work experience to play against the lending Club.’

Wright, who won the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, says he’d be ‘devastated’ if it was him missing out on a Wembley appearance.

‘If you’ve let a player go from the start of the season then yes he’s your player,’ Wright said on his podcast Wrighty’s House.

‘For Conor Gallagher to go to Palace and take them to the levels.

‘He’s one of the main reasons they’re doing what they’re doing.

‘He’s helped get them to a semi-final at Wembley which is what we all dream of as professionals and he can’t play because his parent club is there.

‘There’s something not fair about that. I’d be devastated if I was in his position.’

Gallagher has eight goals and five assists in his 30 appearances for the Eagles this season that has led to him being called up to Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad, alongside Palace team-mates Marc Guehi and Tyrick Mitchell.

The Chelsea academy graduate looks set to return to Stamford Bridge to fight for his place in Thomas Tuchel’s side in the summer unless Palace can convince them to sell.

Wright believes Gallagher will be a huge