Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez has insisted that Villarreal never notified the club that Denis Cheryshev was ineligible after scoring in Wednesday's 3-1 Copa del Rey win away to Cadiz.

The Spanish giants face expulsion from the competition after the Russian - who opened the scoring before being withdrawn at half time - was fielded in last night's victory despite being suspended.

The 24-year-old picked up three yellow cards in the tournament during a season-long loan with Villarreal last term, and Benitez insists that Madrid were not informed of his ban.

"The club had no idea," he told reporters after the game.

"The Federation did not let us know and as soon as we found out we substituted him. Villarreal and the Federation did not reveal this.

"That is why he took him off straight way, we found out at half time when we were informed. We acted in good faith, as soon as we found out we took him off."

Cadiz confirmed that they would make an official complaint over the error.