Real Madrid has been expelled from the Copa del Rey after it fielded the ineligible Denis Cheryshev in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Cadiz.

The Russian winger picked up three yellow cards in the competition last season while on loan at Villarreal - the third in the semifinal defeat to Barcelona - and was supposed to be suspended for the first game of this season’s Copa.

However, Madrid did not realize and Rafael Benitez, taking advantage of his squad, played him from the start against the third-division side.

Cheryshev opened the scoring, but was taken off at halftime as word spread that he was not eligible to play.

Cadiz confirmed on Wednesday they had made a complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding Cheryshev’s involvement.