Real Madrid may be disqualified from the 2015-16 Copa del Rey after it was discovered Denis Cheryshev, who started for Los Blancos in Wednesday’s match against Cadiz, was ineligible to play.
Advertisement
Cadiz, who have until 2 p.m. local time on Thursday to lodge an appeal, tweeted that they would hold a directors’ meeting after the game to discuss the matter.
This cup tie against meagre opposition provides Madrid with the chance to put their troubles off the field behind them and focus on what really matters – results on the pitch. The decision may see the Spanish giants get kicked out of the competition, as Osasuna suffered the same fate for a similar transgression last season, per Sport.
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls added to the debate on Tuesday by claiming sportsmen who don’t behave in an “exemplary” manner shouldn’t play for national teams.
Cheryshev was substituted 30 seconds into the second half.
That, though, will surely not save Real Madrid from being ejected from a competition they have won 19 times.
And it’s a touch of déjà vu for Rafa after his Valencia side were thrown out the cup in 2001 for fielding too many non-EU players for two minutes against minnows Novelda.
It would be hard, though, for even Benitez’s detractors, of which there are plenty in Madrid right now, to pin the blame for an administrative error on him.
Advertisement
Just when Real Madrid fans were starting to get excited about having a healthy squad in anticipation of the recent Clasico, injuries reared their ugly head again with Dani Carvajal now being their latest victim.
