Isco: Madrid must not be expelled for the good of football

Isco hopes Real Madrid will not be kicked out of the Copa del Rey "for the good of football" after coach Rafael Benitez fielded Denis Cheryshev for Wednesday's match against Cadiz, despite the midfielder being ineligible through suspension.

Cheryshev, scorer of the opening goal in the 3-1 win on Wednesday, was suspended for the cup clash due to picking up three yellow cards while playing for Villarreal in last season's competition.

However, the Russian was included in the starting XI at Estadio Ramon de Carranza, eventually being replaced 45 seconds into the second half.

And playmaker Isco remained optimistic Los Blancos would not face expulsion from the competition, insisting it is in the best interests of the game to allow them to stay in it.

"I hope, for the good of football, we will play a second leg," the 23-year-old told Canal+. "It was a good match against a strong team.

"I heard of Cheryshev's ineligibility in the second half. This is the directors' responsibility, so they have to deal with it. We did our job to win."

A precedent has already been set for this case, with Osasuna thrown out of this year's competition for fielding an ineligible player against Mirandes, and Cadiz president Manuel Vizcaino has confirmed the Segunda B club will report Real Madrid to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).