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REAL MADRID

Cheryshev: Spanish court throws out Real Madrid appeal

Real have suffered a further reverse in their legal challenge against their expulsion from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player
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Benítez sustituye a Cheryshev en Cádiz al ser advertido de una posible alineación indebida del internacional ruso.
MIGUEL ANGEL MORENATTI

A Madrid court has thrown out a legal appeal submitted by Real Madrid over their exclusion from the 2015/16 Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.

Cheryshev still banned from loan spell at Villarreal

Real were expelled from the competition after playing Denis Cheryshev at Cádiz in December 2015, despite the Russian being yet to serve a ban picked up while on loan at Villarreal for accumulated yellow cards.

Cádiz were awarded a 3-0 win in the last-32 first leg, which had ended 3-1 to Real - with Cheryshev scoring the opening goal - and given a bye to the next round.

The resolution handed down on Monday by the Central Contentious-Administrative Court upholds the previous rulings against Real by the Spanish Football Federation's (RFEF) disciplinary and appeals committees.

Cheryshev and then-Real Madrid coach Rafa Benítez (right) look dejected on an embarrassing night for Los Blancos.
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Cheryshev and then-Real Madrid coach Rafa Benítez (right) look dejected on an embarrassing night for Los Blancos.MARCELO DEL POZO (REUTERS)

Real Madrid argue RFEF should have notified Cheryshev of ban

Madrid maintain that Cheryshev's suspension had not taken effect because the player had not been notified of the punishment in writing, as - claim the Bernabéu outfit - is stipulated by the RFEF's Disciplinary Code.

According to the details of Monday's verdict, Real had sought damages for being prevented from holding the second leg - with Los Blancos asking to be compensated for loss of gate receipts - and for the negative impact of the expulsion on the club's reputation.

However, the court found that, according to the terms of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, a sanction may be communicated to the club that the footballer is playing for at that time. Villarreal president Fernando Roig has acknowledged that the Submarino Amarillo received notification of the ban.

The ruling does recognise that the RFEF could also have notified Cheryshev personally, but rejects Madrid's argument that the body's failure to do so invalidates his suspension.

"Incomprehensible" that Real did not realise he was suspended

The court additionally noted that it is "incomprehensible that a club like Real Madrid is not aware of which players it can and cannot field".