Why have Osasuna filed a complaint to Spanish Football Federation about a Barcelona player following La Liga clash?
Updated 28/03/2025 at 19:13 GMT
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All seemed well at Barcelona on Thursday evening as they extended their lead at the top of La Liga with a convincing 3-0 win over Osasuna. Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski got the goals, but a player at the other end of the pitch could have caused the Blaugrana some unwanted problems, after Osasuna confirmed that they had launched an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation.
Barca pay 'really high price' for win as Olmo suffers injury
Video credit: SNTV
Osasuna have made an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after claiming Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was ineligible to play in Thursday night's La Liga clash.
Barcelona won 3-0 to establish a three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, with Martinez starting in defence alongside former Manchester City centre-back Eric Garcia.
But Osasuna insist Martinez should not have been available for selection.
The 33-year-old had been called up by Spain for the recent international break, but did not travel with the squad because of a knee injury.
FIFA rules do not allow a player to play a domestic match within five days of an international break if they have been called up but subsequently returned to their club through injury.
Barcelona's clash with Osasuna came four days after Spain's UEFA Nations League match against the Netherlands.
Osasuna released a statement after the game, which read: "The club argues that defender Inigo Martinez's participation violated Article 5 of Annex I of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
"The regulation states that any player who withdraws from their national team squad due to medical reasons - or leaves camp for the same reason - cannot play for their club within five days of the end of the international period.
"On March 17, the RFEF announced that Martinez had been withdrawn from Spain's squad due to medical reasons, citing 'internal parameniscitis in his right knee' as stated in a report from FC Barcelona.
"That same day, midfielder Marc Casado and forward Bryan Zaragoza were also ruled out of the national team due to medical issues. However, only Zaragoza joined the squad for evaluation by Spain's medical staff.
"According to FIFA's regulations, Osasuna asserts that none of these players were eligible to compete in yesterday's La Liga EA Sports matchday 27 fixture, as the mandatory waiting period had not been fulfilled.
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"Since the RFEF itself confirmed Martinez's absence was due to a medical condition, Osasuna contends that no exceptional circumstances apply that would override FIFA's regulations.
"The club distinguishes this case from the release of defender Gerard Martin and midfielders Pablo Torre and Fermin Lopez from Spain's U21 squad, as their withdrawals were not medically related.
"Osasuna maintains that Martinez, who was ruled out of the Spanish squad due to medical reasons, was ineligible to play in yesterday's match.
"Consequently, the club has filed an appeal, citing its commitment to defending its rights, upholding fair competition, and ensuring equal conditions for all participants."
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