OFFICIAL: Barcelona remain in Copa del Rey after Levante's complaint rejected

Barcelona will continue in the Copa del Rey, the Spanish FA have decided, despite calls for them to be kicked out for fielding an ineligible player.

The residing judge from the Competition's Comittee, Carmen Pérez, has decided to reject the complaint lodged by Levante for what they believe to be Barcelona using an ineligible player in the first leg of the Last 16 Copa del Rey clash.

Levante could still decide to appeal the verdict should they so wish.

The whole incident stems from Valverde using Chumi, a Barça B star, despite him picking up five yellow cards for the academy team. It was suggested that until the player in question had served his ban he should be unavailable for selection for the senior side also.

Barça denied any wrongdoing and pointed to the fact the suspension relates to the category he was playing in, in this case for the B side, and as such was free to play for the senior team.

Levante lodged their complaint this Friday morning. According to the rules as Barça know them, this complaint wasn't made in time as it should be sent - at the latest - two days after a minor incident has taken place.

The Valencian side insist the Chumi wasn't eligable and as such Barça have broken the rules. In the event of a serious rule break, the time in which you are able to lodge a complaint is three years.

So it comes down to the interpretation of the rule itself and the judge has decided to side with Barcelona. The decision comes shortly before the draw for the Copa del Rey quarter finals takes place.