Real Madrid’s woes deepened yesterday when the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) expelled them from the King’s Cup for using an ineligible player in Wednesday’s last 32, first leg match at third-tier Cadiz.

Real included Denis Cheryshev in their starting line-up for their first match of the 2015-16 competition even though he should have been serving a one-match suspension and the Russia forward opened the scoring in a 3-1 victory.

Real president Florentino Perez insisted on Thursday the club had not broken the rules as neither Cheryshev nor Real were notified he was banned.

But in a nine-page ruling, the RFEF sharply criticised Real, saying they should have been aware of the sanction, and as well as disqualifying the club fined them €6,001.

Already smarting after bitter rivals Barcelona thrashed them 4-0 at the Bernabeu in last month’s La Liga ‘Clasico’, it is another embarrassing setback for Real following their failed attempt to sign Spain goalkeeper David De Gea from Manchester United in the close season.

Real confirmed they would appeal against their expulsion.

Cheryshev earned a third yellow card, which carries an automatic one-game ban, playing on loan at Villarreal in last season’s Cup.

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