Twitter Reacts as Real Madrid Field Ineligible Player and Face Copa del Rey Exit

A bad couple of weeks for Real Madrid got worse still on Wednesday night, as it emerged they faced Copa del Rey elimination for fielding an ineligible player. 

"

Breaking: Real Madrid playing the suspended Denis Cheryshev in the Copa del Rey tonight. Penalty for such an offence is usually elimination.

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 2, 2015"

"

AS | "A joke in Cadiz." Starting Cheryshev could make Real Madrid eliminated. pic.twitter.com/KDNDubjufz

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) December 3, 2015"

Speculation on Twitter started to mount after Real named Denis Cheryshev in their starting lineup, seemingly unaware that the midfielder was banned after picking up three yellow cards while on loan at Villarreal last season:

"

"Benítez look at Twitter" chant. Real Madrid played ineligible Cheryshev, could be disqualified from Copa del Rey. https://t.co/kqYgWIghRy

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) December 2, 2015"

"

"Benítez mira el Twitter, Benítez mira el Twitter" cantan los hinchas del Cádiz. Histórico momento pic.twitter.com/YSIoNGS11f

— Pasión Fútbol (@PasionFutbolFC) December 2, 2015"

It soon emerged that Real had been reminded of the ban by fax:

"

HAHAHAHAHA "Real Madrid were sent a fax before the game, warning them about disqualification. It wasn't read." Oh for fax sake, @realmadrid!

— ɐqᴉɥ (@GoGetMyCoffee) December 3, 2015"

"

Real Madrid can't get the paperwork to sign De Gea and don't bother to check on suspended players before the game. They need new employees

— Juan Direction (@JuanDirection57) December 3, 2015"

"

Back at the Real Madrid offices pic.twitter.com/hwXFuClGkh

— Ahmad (@ChieflySarcastc) December 2, 2015"

Naturally, rival fans were loving it:

"

Not sure if Real Madrid or Ridiculous Madrid 😂😂😂

— Messi Stats (@MESSlSTATS) December 3, 2015"

"

Real Madrid fielded ineligible player Cheryshev last night. Opposition (Cadiz) fans sang: "Cheryshev I love you." pic.twitter.com/fyZdfeR8Ot

— Coral (@Coral) December 3, 2015"

As were rival players:

"

😂😂😂😭😭😭😂😂😂

— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) December 2, 2015"

Real fans, not so much:

"

Just read the news about Cheryshev. The state of our club...

— Niels (@Baleinho) December 3, 2015"

Though, there was plenty of sympathy for the player:

"

I feel so bad for Cheryshev.. Poor guy must be feeling horrible right now

— Ina Kapaj (@inaa_k) December 3, 2015"

"

Have to feel for poor lad Cheryshev. Became a victim of horrible mismanagement at Real (not a dig at Rafa, but at backroom staff)

— Alexey Yaroshevsky (@YaroLFC) December 3, 2015"

"

you're a great player with big potential, it's not your fault, keep it up and all Madridistas with you @Cheryshev

— Nana (@modricdistas) December 3, 2015"

Real attempted to correct their mistake by substituting Cheryshev at half-time, but it was too late:

"

Real Madrid have now taken off Denis Cheryshev. pic.twitter.com/2LJvHzD6jS

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 2, 2015"

"

Denis Cheryshev be like... pic.twitter.com/FRiJAqWXHN

— Pablo (@HoopsTLT) December 2, 2015"

"

Ha! Rafa subbing off Cheryshev.... think the damage might have been done mate

— Ed Malyon (@eaamalyon) December 2, 2015"

...especially as he had already scored:

"

Video: Denis @Cheryshev 1st goal ever for Real Madrid pic.twitter.com/R0S6b2PKlt [via @Suporter_FC]

— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) December 2, 2015"

It's not the best time to be a Real Madrid fan/player/manager:

"

—Lose 4-0 to Barcelona —Field ineligible player in the Copa del Rey —Player unrest Real Madrid—The Walking Dead pic.twitter.com/4b2iL95Gvp

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) December 2, 2015"

[Twitter]