Osasuna has officially appealed to the Spanish Football Federation, alleging that Barcelona’s Inigo Martinez was ineligible to play in their La Liga match on Thursday.
The appeal centers around Martinez’s withdrawal from the Spanish national team due to a knee injury and his subsequent participation in the Barcelona match, potentially violating FIFA regulations.
FIFA Regulations and Martinez’s Eligibility
According to Article 5 of FIFA regulations, a player who withdraws from their national team due to injury cannot play for their club team until five days after their nation’s most recent match.
Martinez pulled out of the Spain squad ahead of their UEFA Nations League double-header against the Netherlands and played for Barcelona only four days after Spain’s last match.
Osasuna’s Statement and Appeal
Osasuna released a statement confirming their appeal, stating that they believe Martinez was not eligible to play in the match.
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The club is seeking to defend its rights and ensure fairness and equality in the competition.
Potential Consequences for Barcelona
If the investigation concludes that Martinez was indeed ineligible, the result of the match could be overturned, awarding Osasuna three points.
Additionally, Barcelona may face a points deduction, which could impact their position in the La Liga table.
Barcelona’s Response and Confidence
Barcelona is reportedly confident that they have not breached any regulations, having received permission from the Spanish national team for Martinez to play.
However, the outcome of the investigation remains uncertain.
