Real Madrid find themselves in a spot of bother after fielding Denis Cheryshev in a Copa del Rey Round of 32 match against third tier side Cadiz CF.
Denis Cheryshev, who had not served his suspension from last season, was handed a start by manager Rafael Benitez and scored the opening goal of the match within three minutes, as Los Merengues went on to win the match 1-3 but his involvement in the match could bring in serious consequences for the side from Madrid.
The Russian winger represented Villarreal last season and accumulated his third yellow card of the tournament against Real Madrida s eternal rivals FC Barcelona. The Yellow Submarines bowed out of the tournament after their defeat leaving Cheryshev with an un-served suspension.
Real Madrid are guilty of the same mistake as Osasuna, who were disqualified from the Copa del Rey in September, when Unai Garcia, who had been sent off in last season’s competition, played in their tie against Mirandes in the second round of the Copa del Rey.
Cadiz CFa s legal adviser, Fran Canal, even before the final whistle blew spoke to Canal Plus(via Goal.com . ): “We will respect Real Madrid, but our fans and our members always want the best for Cadiz. If there is a chance [of the rules being broken] we will report it.
“I have checked all the banned players that the Spanish FA reports at the beginning of the season and this player had a one-game ban.
“Considering this is the first Copa del Rey game this season for Real Madrid, he could not have played. I insist in not rushing on this a from Cadiz we want to respect Real Madrid.”
Benitez feigns ignorance
Rafael Benitez withdrew Cheryshev after the half half and feigned ignorance, as he blamed the federation and Villarreal about the controversy in the post match conference.
Benitez said (via Goal.com): “The club had no idea. The Federation did not let us know and as soon as we found out we substituted him. Villarreal and the Federation did not reveal this.
“That is why [we] took him off straight way, we found out at half time when we were informed. We acted in good faith, as soon as we found out we took him off.”
Real Madrid may be a Spanish giant, but it would be unfair to other clubs especially after the Spanish football federation punished Osasuna for the same error. While the stature of the two clubs may have a huge difference but if the Spanish federation hopes to be taken seriously, then they will need to be strict and forget the stature of the infringing club.