MADRID, Nov. 3 (silubaba) -- Spanish top-flight side Granada face an early exit from the Copa del Rey knockout tournament after fielding an illegible player.
Although Granada won Thursday night's first round visit to fifth tier (RFEF III) side Aroso, the fact B-team goalkeeper Adri Lopez played in goal looks as if it will be very expensive for the team coached by Paco Lopez.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules state that any B-team players competing in the Copa del Rey have to be in the Under-23 category, and Lopez was born on January 9, 1999, meaning that he is 24 years old and not far off his 25th birthday.
Aroso have already confirmed that they will appeal against the result and the rules are very clear, meaning the RFEF are almost certain to award the tie to the semi-professional side, who will go into the hat for next week's second round draw along with the 15 La Liga sides who all won their first-round matches.
Ironically, Paco Lopez had warned of the dangers of fielding ineligible players in his press conference prior to Thursday's game and the error probably came because Adri Lopez played in the cup last season, but then he was only 23.
Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Osasuna are exempt from the first and second round of the cup due to their presence in the Supercup in Saudi Arabia in January. ■
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