Real Madrid Expelled From Copa Del Rey For Fielding Ineligible Player

Real Madrid has been expelled from the Copa del Rey for "fielding an ineligible player" against Cadiz last Wednesday, according to the BBC. Denis Cheryshev opened the scoring as Real beat the third-tier side 3-1. The Russian winger "should have been serving a ban -- imposed while he was on loan at Villarreal" -- but he and the club said that they were not told before the game. Real Madrid said it would take "the appropriate action" to ensure a "favourable" outcome. The Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) competition committee judge, Francisco Rubio Sanchez, said the club had fielded an "improper line-up" and the tie was settled "in favour of Cadiz." Real was also fined €6,001 ($6,500). The club said in a statement, "Real Madrid CF can verify the acknowledgement that the Spanish Football Federation did not personally notify Cheryshev about his ban, which is the only way the ban can take effect" (BBC, 12/4).