Rafa Watch

[Kenneth]

That's pretty unequivocally if accurately translated.

[Buzzo]

These quotes don't appear to have been picked up and sensationalised in the tabloid press and across social media... 8-0 Real won last night.

Cristiano Ronaldo has come out in support of Rafael Benítez after Real Madrid went some way towards answering their critics with a record-equalling 8-0 victory over Malmo in the Champions League.

Cristiano Ronaldo scores four for Real Madrid as they rout Malmo 8-0
There have been stirrings of discontent at the Bernabéu following last month’s beating by Barcelona which were intensified further by disqualification from the King’s Cup for fielding an ineligible player. The Madrid press have criticised the team’s lack of creativity and there were whistles again on Tuesday from fans who still regard the manager Benítez as too defensive for Los Blancos.

“I didn’t realise [about the whistles],” Ronaldo said. “I don’t know why there is a problem, it is up to the fans to respond how they want but the coach is doing a good job and is still adapting to Real Madrid. You have to give him time and in my opinion he is doing well.

“It is normal at a club like this that you are criticised when things are not going well but we are improving.”

Ronaldo played down rumours of a rift with Benítez and said that he was happy at the club. “It is all speculation, it happens each year and people are used to hearing this kind of thing but the club has helped me a lot,” Ronaldo said.

“I have a good relationship with him and it is the same with all the players. I have a contract with Madrid and I will stay.”

Ronaldo hit four and Karim Benzema three against Malmo as Real equalled Liverpool’s victory over Besiktas in 2007-08. They finished the group stage on 16 points, with Paris Saint-Germain – who had already qualified in second place – on 13 after they won 2-0 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.

In La Liga, Real have won their last two games and reduced the gap behind leaders Barcelona to four points but face a tricky away match against Villarreal on Sunday.

[Cormack74]

I wonder if it's symbolic - the league saying we're not afraid to ban RM. But then they let them back in on appeal . . .

[Fosterbloke]

Kicked out.

Wow. Oh and

[redmike65]

Kicked out.

[redmike65]

FFS how does this even happen, i used to administrate about 8 years ago in my local club, which was at the 5th tier of slovenian football, and even we had a program linked to the national FA's database, with which we registered players for every match, and if a player had a ban there was no way he was even on the bench let alone play, how the **** does this then happen to real madrid?

Apparently they don't have a proper football admin figure, which I find hard to believe.

[nineteen]

Surely it's a Real admin issue, and not Rafas fault anyway?

The haters are hardly likely to let such a small point get in the way of crucifying Rafa.

[Vermilion]

It's something to do with a ban carried over from last season when he played at his last club ?

[Buzzo]

Surely it's a Real admin issue, and not Rafas fault anyway?

[SK]

FFS how does this even happen, i used to administrate about 8 years ago in my local club, which was at the 5th tier of slovenian football, and even we had a program linked to the national FA's database, with which we registered players for every match, and if a player had a ban there was no way he was even on the bench let alone play, how the **** does this then happen to real madrid?

[redmike65]

Cadiz have made their complaint.

[Vermilion]

Lots of clubs have done this, usually being fined for it.

[Kenneth]

“Benitez, look at your Twitter,”

[Liverpel]

They've played a player who should be banned apparently in the cup tonight. This will be interesting!

Real Madrid could face disqualification from the Copa del Rey after appearing to field an ineligible player in their 3-1 fourth-round victory over Cadiz on Wednesday night.

Denis Cheryshev had given Rafael Benítez’s side the lead at the Ramón de Carranza but the Russia international had a one-game ban hanging over his head.

The 24-year-old had picked up three yellow cards during the competition with former club Villarreal last season and this was the first opportunity the winger had to serve the accompanying ban.

But, with Benítez making a host of changes, Cheryshev’s ban was overlooked as he started against the third-tier side.

Cheryshev, who scored after three minutes against Cadiz, was taken off just after half-time by Real manager Rafa Benítez, after the Cadiz fans had spent much of the first half chanting “Benitez, look at your Twitter,” and “Cheryshev can’t play”.


“We had no idea that Cheryshev was ineligible to play,” said the manager after the game. “No-one informed us of this situation.As soon as we were aware we took him off.”

A double from Isco secured victory for the 19-time Copa del Rey winners, with Kike Márquez scoring a late consolation for the hosts.

Cadiz would have to report the situation to the Spanish Football Federation on Thursday and the club’s Twitter feed, Cadiz-CF, said during the game: “The Board of Directors of Cadiz-CF will meet at the end of the match.”

Last season Osasuna were kicked out of the tournament for playing an ineligible player as Unai García was selected in the win over Mirandes despite being sent off the previous year.

Benítez was manager of Valencia when they were disqualified from the Copa del Rey having played too many non-EU players during a tie against Novelda in 2001.

Benítez saw his side take the lead in the third minute on Wednesday as Cheryshev arrowed home a left-footed drive after a smart pass from James Rodríguez.

Lolo Pla and Wilson Cuero came close to equalisers for the third-tier outfit as they looked to hit back quickly.

Cheryshev then passed up the chance to add a second with Rodríguez unable to turn home Alvaro Arbeloa’s pass as Madrid went in one ahead at the interval.

Mateo Kovacic then came on for Cheryshev just after the start of the second-half but the inclusion of the player in the starting line-up could result in Real’s expulsion from the competition.

Madrid made sure of victory on the night as Isco struck twice, grabbing his first with a well-taken effort on 65 minutes and putting the visitors further ahead nine minutes later after more smart work from Rodriguez.

Substitute Márquez reduced the arrears with two minutes remaining but it remains unclear who will advance into the fifth round.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/02/real-madrid-copa-del-rey-expulsion-ineligible-player

[baitman]

They've played a player who should be banned apparently in the cup tonight. This will be interesting!

i wonder if it was at the 'request' of el presidente