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Cup disqualification looks certain for Real Madrid after Cadiz denounce use of sanctioned player

Xinhua, December 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Real Madrid face being kicked out of the King's Cup knockout competition after Cadiz on Thursday reported the club to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for lining up an illegible player in the first leg of their third round tie on Wednesday.

Denis Cheryshev was ineligible to play in the game as the result of a suspension he picked up while playing for Villarreal in the competition last season.

However, not only did the Russian play for over 45 minutes in the game, he also scored the opening goal in the 3-1 win.

Long before the final whistle was blown, the error had come to light and social network sites were active with comments about Cheryshev's appearance.

A section of the Cadiz fans even sang that Real Madrid coach, Rafael Benitez should "look at Twitter," to see what was happening.

The rule is very clear, stating that if an ineligible player is fielded in a cup tie then the tie is considered to be lost, but Real Madrid could have escaped a possible sanction had Cadiz decided not to report them to the RFEF.

That hope was dashed on Thursday when Cadiz released a statement confirming they had "reported Real Madrid to the RFEF for fielding an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev, following a unanimous decision to do so by the club's board".

"We received notification from the RFEF this morning that our written complaint had been accepted, and that Real Madrid have been given a deadline to present whatever arguments they deem appropriate," said the club, which insisted it held Real Madrid in "utmost respect."

On Wednesday Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueno said the club would appeal and base the appeal on the fact that Cheryshev had not been personally notified of his suspension in accordance with article 41 of the Disciplinary Code, even though the RFEF sent a list of all suspended players to their clubs at the end of July. Endit