CurrentReport Blog Osasuna has officially lodged an appeal with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), claiming that Barcelona should not have fielded Iñigo Martínez in their LaLiga fixture on Thursday due to a technicality. The controversy stems from Martínez’s prior withdrawal from the Spanish national team due to a knee injury, which Osasuna argues violates FIFA regulations.
Martínez, who was sidelined for Spain’s Nations League matches due to a swollen right knee, played the full 90 minutes in Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Osasuna. The result allowed Barcelona to move three points clear at the top of the LaLiga table.
Osasuna contends that the participation of Martínez in the match breaches Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. According to the regulations, players who withdraw from international duty for medical reasons are prohibited from playing for their club during the five calendar days following the conclusion of the international period.
In a statement, Osasuna said, “The club understands that the participation of Iñigo Martínez in yesterday’s match violated Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. It specifies that a player who does not join or leaves his national team for medical reasons may not play matches for his club during the five calendar days following the end of the international period.”
Osasuna is calling for the matter to be reviewed, asserting that Martínez was ineligible to play in the LaLiga fixture against them due to the medical leave from the Spanish national team.
Currently, Osasuna sits in 14th place in LaLiga, six points clear of the relegation zone, while Barcelona moves to the top of the table with the win.
