Real Madrid thrown out of Copa del Rey over ineligible player

Real Madrid have been thrown out of the Copa del Rey after they used an ineligible player in Wednesday’s last 32, first leg match at third-tier Cadiz, Spanish radio station Cadena Ser reported on Friday.

Real included Denis Cheryshev in their starting line-up for the match and the Russia forward opened the scoring in his side's 3-1 victory, even though he should have been serving a one-match suspension.

Cadena Ser, which did not identify the source of its information, said the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) had told Cadiz of the decision to expel Real, who had said they would appeal if they were thrown out of the competition.

The RFEF is expected to announce its decision later on Friday.

Cheryshev earned a third yellow card, which carries an automatic one-game ban, playing on loan at Villarreal in last season’s cup.

Real took him off at half-time when they apparently realised their error but Cadiz filed an official complaint.

Real president Florentino Perez said on Thursday he believed the club had not broken the rules as neither Cheryshev nor the club were notified he was banned.

It is the latest embarrassment for the world’s richest club by income, whose attempt to sign Spain goalkeeper David De Gea from Manchester United on the final day of the transfer window in August ended in farce when the paperwork did not arrive on time to complete the deal.