Real Madrid 'had no idea' Cheryshev was ineligible to play vs. Cadiz

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez admitted that neither he nor the club knew midfielder Denis Cheryshev was ineligible to play in Wednesday's Copa del Rey match at Cadiz.

The 24-year-old Cheryshev - who had been on loan at Villarreal last season - received a one-match suspension from the Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF) on March 6 for yellow-card accumulation.

Two days earlier, during Villarreal's 3-1 loss to Barcelona, he had picked up his third yellow card in the competition, which activated the ban.

Related: Report - Real Madrid faces expulsion from Copa del Rey for fielding ineligible Cheryshev

But Benitez contended that no one brought up anything about the Russian's status.

"We had no idea that Cheryshev was ineligible to play. No one informed us of this situation," Benitez told reporters, according to AS. "After finding out at halftime, we substituted Cheryshev immediately to show good faith."

Club director Emilio Butragueno echoed those sentiments, claiming that neither the federation nor Villarreal had notified Madrid of Cheryshev's disciplinary record.

"Cheryshev himself wasn't aware of the ineligibility," Butragueno added. "So how come Cadiz were aware of his ineligibility?"

Madrid midfielder Isco conceded he too had learned of Cheryshev's status at halftime. The Spaniard didn't celebrate his two goals in the second half, but he hopes a second leg will be played.

The decision now rests with the RFEF, which will hear a complaint from Cadiz.