Real Madrid lose Copa del Rey expulsion appeal

Real Madrid have lost their appeal against the decision to ban them from the Copa del Rey over the fielding of an ineligible player.

Los Blancos were dumped out of the competition last week due to a misunderstanding, which saw them play Denis Cheryshev in the 3-1 win over Cadiz.

Cheryshev, a goalscorer in that last-32 affair, picked up three yellow cards during a loan spell at Villarreal last season and was therefore suspended for the first leg at Cadiz.

It become clear at full time that Madrid had broken the rules, which led to an immediate ban from this year's competition after their opponents appealed.

Despite the expulsion, Madrid boss Rafael Benitez remained confident that the counter-appeal launched by his side would be successful.

That has not been the case, however, with the RFEF Competition Committee's initial decision being upheld and the La Liga giants therefore playing no further part in the 2015-16 edition of the famous competition.