Real Madrid, a club that Forbes values at over $3 billion, is out of the Copa del Rey because of its incompetence.
The Real Federacion Espanola de Futbol (RFEF) confirmed the inevitable on Friday, announcing that Real Madrid is being thrown out of the competition after Denis Cheryshev, who was ineligible to play, took the pitch at Cadiz two days ago.
Related: Real Madrid thrown out of Copa del Rey for fielding ineligible player
It's hard to think of a more humiliating exit from the Copa del Rey, particularly given the stature of a club like Real Madrid, who is governed by the most self-righteous of presidents in Florentino Perez. So, it should come as no surprise that Twitter was ablaze with reactions from pundits, supporters, and others.
Real Madrid admit deliberately fielding an ineligible player in the Copa Del Rey in order to avoid another inevitable pumping from Barca.
— Oldfirmfacts (@Oldfirmfacts1) December 4, 2015
Barcelona fans to Real Madrid fans right now #CopaDelRey #Expelled pic.twitter.com/0iRxAzifbV
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) December 4, 2015
Real Madrid has not been out of the treble run this early since the Alcorcon debacle (10.11.2009)
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) December 4, 2015
Some Perspective.
Real Madrid 20 times larger than Rangers. A true global power,yet dealt with properly in fairness to all other clubs.....
— Barcabhoy (@Barcabhoy1) December 4, 2015
Want free advice on how to win the treble? @realmadrid. Get the book! pic.twitter.com/BpRoG5xlgJ
— Micky (@BusiFCB) December 4, 2015
On Real Madrid: How does a club worth billions get thrown out of a tournament for an ineligible player & botch the paperwork on a transfer?
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) December 4, 2015
Rafa Benitez just got the news that Real Madrid have been disqualified from the #CopaDelRey pic.twitter.com/kUvdxMM8AE
— BETDAQ (@BETDAQ) December 4, 2015
BREAKING: Real Madrid are officially banned from the Copa Del Rey for the 2015/16 season.
😂😂😂😭😭😭😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/RYmmlAJ7Hr
— Barca World (@FCBarcelonaHome) December 4, 2015
I hope someone sends Real Madrid a message via carrier pigeon that they were eliminated from the cup or they might show up next week.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) December 4, 2015
Real Madrid are eliminated from #CopadelRey. Rafael Benítez has now been kicked out twice in the cup. First time with Valencia in 2001/02
— Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) December 4, 2015