Barcelona has been officially kicked out of Spain’s top domestic women cup competition for fielding an ineligible player.
The domestic champions won’t be able to defend their Copa de la Reina title from last season with the Spanish FA (RFEF) having now confirmed that Barca are expelled from the tournament.
Recall The Catalonian giants had defeated Osasuna 9-0 in the Copa de la Reina last 16 earlier this month. But their opponents immediately launched a complaint after it was revealed Barca had fielded an ineligible player.
Forward Geyse Ferreira, who scored one of the Barcelona nine goals, should have supposedly faced a one-match ban after she was sent off in the competition last season while at Madrid CFF. Osasuna have reported the incident to the Royal Spanish Football Federation and they have today confirmed that Barcelona are removed from the competition due to the error.
It means they won’t be able to win Spain’s domestic cup again this season, having retained the trophy for the last three years on the bounce.
Osasuna will now take Barcelona’s place in the last eight following their successful complaint, barring any successful appeal from the Catalans.
The Spanish champions have also been fined €1001 (£884) for their actions, but do have 10 days to appeal against the verdict from the RFEF.
This means Villarreal will progress to the quarter-finals instead, with the competition blown wide open. However Real Madrid were able to progress safely into the last eight with a 6-0 win over Albacete, without breaking any eligibility rules
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