Levante of Spain winger, Moses Simon is hanging unto hope for a place in the next round of Copa del Rey, as his side are protesting against FC Barcelona, for allegedly using an ineligible player.
Footballlive.ng gathered that, although Barca appeared to move into the next stage, following victory over two legs against Simon’s club, Levante have raised eyebrows over The Catalans’ use of emergent centre-back Chumi Brandariz.
Officials at Simon’s club argue that Brandariz should not have played in the first leg last week due to a suspension earned while he was in action with Barcelona’s B-team.
Simon’s club have cited a similar case that saw Real Madrid expelled from the same competition in 2016 for fielding Denis Cheryshev in a last-32 match against Cadiz, when the Russian should have been serving a suspension earned while representing Villarreal earlier in the term,
However, Barca are staying calm regarding the situation, as the Spanish champions claim the rules have been changed in recent time and that they will not be sanctioned.
Simon was on for 90 minutes against Barcelona, who landed their 30th Copa del Rey crown last season and have been utterly dominant in this competition in recent years.
The Catalans have lifted the trophy in each of the last four campaigns and have been present in all but one of the last eight finals.
Though Levante were so impressive during their victory over Barcelona last week, Simon and his pals from the Valencia-based outfit were blown away in the reverse fixture by Barcelona’s front three.
However, Levante president, Quico Catalan said his club will lodge a formal complaint to Royal Spanish Football Federation that Barca used an inelligible player in the first leg, which his side won 2-1.
Simon’s club boss said: “It is not an easy situation, us sporting people like to win on the pitch. Whatever happens, Levante will go before the federation with this situation.
“There will be a complaint if we do not qualify. And if we do, there will be a report to the federation to explain what has happened.”
