Court Dismisses Real Madrid Appeal Against Copa del Rey Ban
The Administrative Court of Sport said it had "analyzed the all the parties' arguments" and ruled to "dismiss Real Madrid's appeal" for fielding an "improper lineup."
Spain's top sports court on Monday dismissed Real Madrid's appeal against its exclusion from the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player.
The Administrative Court of Sport said it had "analyzed the all the parties' arguments" and ruled to "dismiss Real Madrid's appeal" for fielding an "improper lineup."
Madrid was expelled from the competition for fielding Denis Cheryshev in a first-leg 3-1 win over Cadiz on Dec. 2 in the opening round.
Cheryshev was carrying a one-match suspension for yellow cards received last season while on loan at Villarreal, a fact that Madrid seemed unaware of until halftime in the Cadiz match.
Spain's soccer federation published its decision to bar Madrid from the Copa on Dec 4.
The embarrassing mistake further dented Madrid's image this season and deepened a crisis sparked by a demoralizing 4-0 home loss to bitter rival Barcelona.
However, the court said the club could still appeal the disqualification, but it would need to take its case to Spain's normal law courts, effectively starting litigation against Spain's federation.
Such a case would have to be dealt with soon, as the first leg match in the last 16 between Cadiz and Celta Vigo is set for January 7.