On Friday, Osasuna lodged an appeal with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), claiming that Barcelona should not have included defender Inigo Martinez in their LaLiga match due to a technicality related to his recent injury absence from the Spain squad.
Martinez had pulled out of the Spanish team for their Nations League fixtures due to a swollen right knee but participated in the entire 90 minutes of Barcelona’s 3-0 victory on Thursday, which pushed the league leaders three points ahead in LaLiga.
“The club believes that Inigo Martinez’s participation in yesterday’s match breached article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players,” stated Osasuna in a press release.
“This stipulates that a player who does not join or leaves their national team for medical reasons is ineligible to play for their club during the five calendar days following the conclusion of the international period.”
“Osasuna contends that Inigo Martinez, whose withdrawal from the Spanish national side was due to health issues, should not have been eligible to feature in yesterday’s match under FIFA regulations.”
Following the result, Osasuna sits 14th in the league standings, with a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.
Originally, Barcelona were supposed to face Osasuna on 8th March, but the game was postponed to 27th March after the passing of the club’s doctor, as there were no other dates available.
Both clubs had their appeals for the fixture to be delayed dismissed, with Barcelona not able to field several players, including top scorer Raphinha, who had just returned from international duty.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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