Madrid could face disqualification from the Copa del Rey after appearing to field an ineligible player in their 3-1 fourth-round victory over Cadiz on Wednesday night. Denis Cheryshev had given Rafael Benítez’s side the lead at the Ramón de Carranza but the Russia international had a one-game ban hanging over his head.
The 24-year-old had picked up three yellow cards during the competition with former club Villarreal last season and this was the first opportunity the winger had to serve the accompanying ban.
But, with Benítez making a host of changes, Cheryshev’s ban was overlooked as he started against the third-tier side.
Cheryshev, who scored after three minutes against Cadiz, was taken off just after half-time by Benítez after the Cadiz fans had spent much of the first half chanting “Benítez, look at your Twitter,” and “Cheryshev can’t play”.
Though Cheryshev was substituted for Mateo Kovacic immediately after first-half but the inclusion of the player in the starting line-up could result in Real’s expulsion from the competition.
“We had no idea that Cheryshev was ineligible to play,” said the manager after the game. “No one informed us of this situation. As soon as we were aware we took him off.”
A double from Isco secured victory for the 19-times Copa del Rey winners, with Kike Márquez scoring a late reply for the hosts.
Cadiz would have to report the situation to the Spanish Football Federation on Thursday and the club’s Twitter feed, Cadiz-CF, said during the game: “The Board of Directors of Cadiz-CF will meet at the end of the match.”
Last season Osasuna were kicked out of the tournament for playing an ineligible player as Unai García was selected in the win over Mirandes despite being sent off the previous year.
Benítez was manager of Valencia when they were disqualified from the Copa del Rey having played too many non-EU players during a tie against Novelda in 2001.
Source: theguardian
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