Sergio Ramos Reportedly Called Gerard Pique over Mocking Real Madrid Tweet

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has reportedly called Spain team-mate Gerard Pique over a tweet made by the Barcelona defender, mocking his side for fielding an ineligible player in the Copa del Rey.

Pique tweeted after Los Blancos' game with Cadiz, where Denis Cheryshev was incorrectly played, and posted a set of crying and laughing emoji faces:

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Radio station Onda Cero (h/t Sport) said Ramos took offence to Pique's actions, and contacted the Barca centre-back to "ask for an explanation" over his social media post. 

Sport said Pique gave his reaction on Thursday, with the Spain international saying: "You know me, I found it funny."

The two players have previously had issues with each other, and a "history of animosity" has existed between the defensive bedrocks of the Blaugrana and Los Merengues. Nicholas Godden of the MailOnline reported Pique suggested Ramos should "shut up" after the Real skipper criticised him in September, leading to the pair's relationship to be on the front pages of the Spanish press.

Serious sanctions could now be brought against the Galacticos for their mistake in fielding Cheryshev, who was suspended for the match. They face potential disqualification from the Copa, per Sky Sports' Lyall Thomas. Cheryshev picked up the suspension while on loan at Villarreal last term, causing the confusion at his parent club.

PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/Getty Images

President Florentino Perez has said he will fight any move to sanction the Spanish giants, as quoted by the Twitter account of Spanish outlet AS:

"

What happened last night has never happened to Real Madrid before. If we didn't know, the sanction cannot stand. 

[...]

Sanctions cannot be enforced unless the player is personally notified, that's the way I understand it. 

[...]

We received nothing, no note, nothing [from the RFEF]. We'll take this to the appeals, then the Arbitration court. 

It's not a big deal because we are right.

[...]

We're in this mess for incorrect reports in the media about a sanction [for breach of RFEF regulations]. 

"

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

The issue surrounding the player came to light at half-time of the match, and Madrid coach Rafael Benitez immediately substituted Cheryshev. 

Cadiz have filed a written complaint to Spanish football's governing body, and Real have been set a deadline to respond, per Thomas.

Pique's tweet underlines the sour feeling between Spain's top two clubs, but Madrid will be faced with bigger problems than tweets from rival players if they are punished for their misdemeanours against Cadiz.