Los Blancos fielding an ineligible player in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday is the latest blot on a season which is threatening to unravel.
Emilio Butragueno said it’s not been an easy week for Real Madrid. He was underplaying it: It’s not been an easy season for the 10-time European champions.
The club is staring at the very probable prospect of being thrown out of the Copa del Rey after fielding a suspended player in its game against Cadiz on Wednesday.
Denis Cheryshev, who spent last year on loan at Villarreal, picked up three bookings in the Spanish cup competition last season and, for that reason, he carried a one-match ban into the new campaign.