What has been speculated on for two days is now official – as it stands, Real Madrid have been disqualified from the Copa del Rey because of the appearance of the suspended player Denis Cheryshev.
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Real Madrid have been thrown out of the Spanish Cup after fielding an ineligible player in their tie against third-tier side Cadiz on Wednesday, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed on Friday.
Perez spoke publicly to defend his club hours after Cadiz filed an objection to Madrid fielding Denis Cheryshev, who carried over a one-game suspension from last season for accumulation of yellow cards while playing on loan for Villarreal.
The Russian scored the opener in the last-32 first leg clash, with visitors Real going on to win 3-1 in a slightly surreal atmosphere as by that time news had travelled around the stadium about the threat of expulsion.
Real Madrid edged closer to the Spanish Cup exit door Thursday after third-divison Cadiz appealed their midweek defeat because the capital giants had inadvertently fielded a suspended player.
Real were also fined 6,001 euros (£4,300).
Coach Rafa Benitez had claimed he did not know that Cheryshev was ineligible, blaming Villarreal for not passing the information to him. “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”. Cheryshev, who was a Villarreal player at the time, had no knowledge.
Real Madrid, of course, are appealing the decision.
Despite the final verdict, Los Blancos plan to appeal and keep fighting in order to stay in the Copa del Rey. Perez, Real Madrid’s president, had a press conference to address the “oversight”.
Ex-Madrid player and now Getafe B coach Ruben de la Red told Marca that Benitez should not be blamed for what had happened and said that he has been “amazed” at the recent string of events at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
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The trick comes in the guise of a similar case last season involving Lorca’s women’s team and their goalkeeper Laura Gallego.
