Real Madrid disqualified from Copa del Rey

Real Madrid was disqualified on Friday of the Copa del Rey by the Spanish federation after using a suspended player in their opening game. In a statement, the federation said Madrid had used "improper alignment" in the game against Cadiz and the two-game series was decided "in favor of Cadiz".

Madrid disputed the facts stated in the conclusions of the federation said Friday night that it would present "a proper appeal."

Madrid coach Rafa Benitez included Denis Cheryshev in the starting lineup for the match on Wednesday and 24 Russian player scored the first goal in the 3-1 victory, before being replaced in the second half.

Cheryshev wearing a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards and Francisco Rubio judge decided Friday that Madrid must be removed from the rest of the Cup.

Madrid was also fined 6,000 euros ($ 6,518). The club may appeal the decision and the president Florentino Perez said Friday it would explore all options to try to restore effective competition.

On Thursday, Perez had said the penalty was not applicable because Cheryshev not been personally notified of the suspension, which comes on when the player was on loan from Villarreal, and had not informed the Madrid club.

But the case is another embarrassment for the club and Benitez matter which was already under pressure after a demoralising 4-0 loss to archival Barcelona in the league.

In its ruling, Rubio said Cheryshev person had been notified of the suspension and that the notification was registered in the license the player. He further noted that the measure had been published by the federation and that is all that is required.

In his statement, Madrid said the federation had not notified Cheryshev in person and that was the only way that the penalty would have become effective.

However, the failure of the federation said that "there is no doubt that the player was notified in person and that the imposition of a suspension for a game derived from the accumulation of yellow cards was published".

Cadiz said in a statement that "regrets what happened" with Real Madrid and that "understands" the defense of the meringues to protect their rights. "The Cadiz can only regret what happened. At no time this club has wanted to be star of the Copa del Rey tie," said the statement, adding that the club abides by the decision of the federation.

The president of the Spanish League, Javier Tebas, said he feels that the elimination of Real cup might seem excessive, but that "we must obey the rules."