The Russian worldwide had accumulated too many yellow cards in the competition last season when he was on loan at Villarreal and was supposed to serve a ban.
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Real Madrid’s Cherishev walks off the field as Rafa Benitez gestures during a Copa del Rey soccer match between Cadiz and Real Madrid at the Ramon de Carranza stadium in Cadiz, Spain, Wednesday Dec. 2, 2015.
Suspensions in the Copa Del Rey carry forward to the next season and a new season doesn’t see players forgiven for their transgressions in the previous campaign.
Real took him off at halftime when they apparently realised their error but Cadiz, who play in the same “Segunda B” regional division as Real’s B team, filed an official complaint.
The Spanish league president, Javier Tebas, said he felt elimination from the cup competition might seem an “excessive” penalty but “we must abide by the rules”. After getting utterly pummeled by bitter rivals Barcelona and slipping behind in the race for La Liga, Real now have to contend with not taking part in the Copa Del Rey, which may well be their best shot at a trophy this year. “No one knew. After an analysis with the board of directors, we have decided that the suspension for three yellow cards was not effective because no one communicated it to the player as per Article 41”.
The story of the week in Spanish football has reached its conclusion as Real Madrid get eliminated from the domestic cup tournament.
Cheryshev confirmed immediately after the game that he had been given no direct notification from Villarreal or the Royal Spanish Football Federation, as regulations stipulate is necessary when a suspension is given.
“All Cadiz can do is express regret at what happened”, the Andalusian club said on their website after Friday’s decision was announced.
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“We weren’t told by Villarreal or the RFEF”, Benitez had said.
