Real Madrid have been disqualified from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player in their win over Cadiz.
Russia winger Denis Cheryshev started in the fourth-round tie despite being suspended after picking up a third yellow card in the semi-finals of last season's competition when on loan at Villarreal and scored Real's first goal.
Denis Cheryshev played and scored against Cadiz, despite being due to serve a suspension in the competition
Cheryshev was withdrawn from the action moments after half-time when Real had realised their error, with head coach Rafael Benitez saying they wanted to "show good faith".
The Andalusian side officially complained about the Russian international's involvement and, as expected, Rafa Benitez's side have been kicked out of the competition, reported a number of international news outlets.
Club president Florentino Perez had claimed he would go to court in an attempt to stop any disqualification.
Perez insists neither the club or the player were notified about the suspension, claiming that any sanction will be rendered ineffective.
'We received nothing, no note, nothing from the Spanish FA. We'll take this to the appeals, then the arbitration court.'
'If the player is not notified of his sanction, as article 41 states, then the sanction is not in effect.'
'We have hope that we will win this battle and continue in the Copa del Rey.'
While Benitez may not be to blame for the administrative cock-up, this is not the first time he has suffered elimination from the competition for non-footballing reasons.
In 2001 his Valencia side were disqualified for fielding too many non-EU players at the Round of 64 stage.
