Real Madrid grandee Emilio Butragueno insists neither the club nor Denis Cheryshev knew the winger was ineligible for the Copa del Rey.
Cheryshev played and scored against Cadiz but it later transpired the Russia international had a one-game ban to serve as a result of bookings accumulated in last year’s competition, when he was on loan at Villarreal, potentially leading to Madrid’s removal from the Cup.
“We didn’t know the situation. We had no notification from the RFEF or Villarreal,” Butragueno, the director of institutional relations at Madrid, said, Marca reports.
“Cheryshev, who was playing at Villarreal, didn’t know.
“We’ll wait for developments. The competition judge will decide what happens. Our legal services will also study the situation. There was no will on our side. We didn’t know.”
It was also reported during last night’s match, which ended in a 3-1 win for Madrid with Cheryshev scoring the opening goal, that substitute Borja Mayoral was also banned after he was sent off in a youth tournament in June.
“He could play because it was a youth tournament,” Butragueno clarified.
Real Madrid’s official website further quotes Butragueno as suggesting Article 41 of the RFEF rulebook could give Los Blancos a way out.
“There is an article, 41 of the Spanish Football Federation's Disciplinary Code, it states that the possible sanction will not take effect if the interested party is not notified personally and the player was not notified. That is why Cheryshev was playing,” he said.
“We can say little more, tell the truth about what happened, be cautious and careful. We have talked over the course of the night at the club with everyone involved and there is no record.”