Real Madrid face expulsion from Copa del Rey

Denis Cheryshev was supposed to be suspended for the round-of-32 match against Cadiz after picking up a third yellow card in last season's competition

Real Madrid are set to be expelled from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

Russia winger Denis Cheryshev started in the fourth-round tie away to Cadiz despite being suspended, after picking up a third yellow card in the semi-finals of last season's competition.

Cheryshev was on loan at Villarreal when he was booked for a third time in the 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in March, with suspensions carried over into the following season's competition.

Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sky Sports News HQ: "The news is that Denis Cheryshev was included in the line-up for the Copa del Rey match with Cadiz.

"But Cheryshev picked up a third yellow card in the second leg of the semi-finals last season while on loan at Villarreal, against Barcelona. That meant that he had a one match suspension.

 

"After about two or three minutes into the game, Spanish radio gave the exclusive that actually he shouldn't have played - and that is the case.

"The Cadiz fans have had a lot of fun over the last hour or so, chanting things like 'Benitez, have a look at Twitter', because what that means is that Real Madrid will be kicked out of the competition.

"The same thing happened to Osasuna in September, for fielding an ineligible player. They were kicked out of the competition as well."

 

Rafa Benitez is unlikely to blamed for the incident, after being backed by Real president Florentino Perez earlier this month, with official responsibility for suspension awareness resting on the shoulders of the match delegate.

Real can appeal any judgement from the league but it is unlikely they will succeed, according to Balague.

He said: "We actually have a match delegate who is responsible for the line-ups and the referees, and actually checking if there are any suspensions, so I'm sure he'll be blamed.

"Cheryshev was actually replaced a few minutes into the second half so we will see what Rafa has to say after the match.

"The league will get the report from the referee and straight away should field the punishment, which will also include a fine. There is the possibility of appealing but it would be very strange to appeal this."