Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez says he is confident his club did nothing wrong in playing the suspended Denis Cheryshev in Wednesday's Copa del Rey game at Cadiz, and in Saturday's La Liga clash against Getafe at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.
Club president Florentino Perez made clear on Thursday evening that Madrid were not responsible for what happened, saying that if thrown out of the Copa by the Spanish FA, they will appeal to the Spanish sports ministry's Administrative Court for Sport.
The Bernabeu club's internal administrative processes have been heavily criticised by commentators in the wake of the incident -- although Perez appeared to suggest that Cheryshev himself and his club last season Villarreal were more to blame for what happened.
Los Blancos coach told a news conference that he agreed with Perez and the Madrid staff were happy with how they had prepared for the Cadiz game.
"We've gone back over it, how we prepared for the Cadiz game, and everything was explained clearly by the president," Benitez said. "He told the truth in his press conference -- there is nothing else for us to say. We've done everything in the correct manner. That is the line we must have very clear. We're here to talk about Getafe."
The Spanish FA's rulebook states that clubs who even unwittingly fielded an ineligible player must be thrown out of the competition -- something which Benitez himself experienced when selecting four non-EU players when in charge of Valencia in 2001.
Asked if the rule was too strict, Benitez did not reject the suggestion but said that was a debate for another day.
"I understand the question, it's a good question, but I am not getting into the details," he said. "There will be a debate in future for sure. But now is not the moment for me to comment more."
Madrid go into Saturday's game six points behind in-form La Liga leaders Barcelona in the current standings, and two behind second-placed Atletico Madrid. This will be their first game at the Bernabeu following the 0-4 Clasico defeat late last month, having won away at Shakhtar Donetsk, Eibar and Cadiz in the meantime.
Benitez said he was not concerned about a negative reaction from the Bernabeu stands during the game -- and pointed out that the team was not doing as badly as some critics thought.
"The fans of Madrid know they are fundamental for us," he said. "I expect they will keep supporting their team. The important thing for us is to keep winning games, picking up points, and hope that happens tomorrow. We've won three straight games since Barcelona defeat. This is a long season, we are doing well, much better than some people think. We must keep going in this way."
Benitez has continued selection issues with defenders Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Raphael Varane unlikely to feature, while Isco is serving final game of two-match ban picked up for kicking Neymar in last month's 0-4 Clasico defeat.
"This team is used to this kind of situation," he said. "We have the experience to manage the workload, the demands, and it must be like this. It is very important that we keep getting players back, to manage as best as possible the squad, and be competitive until the end."
Karim Benzema could make his first start since the Clasico in Saturday's game, Benitez said, despite reports that the France FA are to suspend him from international duty due to his role in a sex-tape blackmail scandal.
"Of course [Benzema] is available, he is a fundamental player for us," the coach said. "He has great quality and helps others to play better. He is ready to play, and could start tomorrow. I do not know about leaks, but we must let Karim have the presumption of innocence which everybody deserves."
Getafe were beaten 7-3 at the Bernabeu last season, and have lost on each of their last six visits by a combined score of 25-6. Fran Escriba's side currently sit 14th in the table, having beaten Villarreal 2-0 last weekend.
"We know they are a good team, well coached, well organised, who know what they have to do and do it well," Benitez said. "We must be focused completely, the players must understand the way to play, how to take advantage of our quality. There are no easy games in La Liga. We must play with maximum intensity until the end of the game."
Asked if Zinedine Zidane's work at Madrid's B side Castilla showed he was ready to coach a "professional club," Benitez gave only a brief response.
"Castilla are a professional team, so yes he is ready," he said. "He is doing very good work."