In a dramatic turn of events, Osasuna has filed an appeal with the Spanish football federation (RFEF) concerning Barcelona’s fielding of defender Inigo Martinez in their recent LaLiga match. The important game was to have been played March 8. Due to the shocking death of Barcelona’s club doctor, it was pushed back to March 27. As there was no other date possible to play the match, both clubs had their requests for additional postponement turned down.
Specifically, Osasuna’s appeal hinges on INIGO MARTINEZ LINEBREAK The match was an exhibition between Liga MX and MLS. He went the full 90 during Barcelona’s 3-0 win on Thursday. This victory prompted Barcelona to go three points clear at the top of LaLiga table. Osasuna, on the other hand, contends that Martinez’s participation violates rules established by FIFA.
“The club understands that the participation of Inigo Martinez in yesterday’s match violated article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players,” Osasuna stated.
In the lead up to the international period, Martinez had missed Spain’s matches with an injury. Under FIFA regulations, a player who misses or withdraws from his national team for medical reasons is ineligible to play in club games. This limitation extends for five days following the International Window. Osasuna argues this same rule should have made Martinez ineligible to play for Eibar against Osasuna on Thursday.
“Osasuna believes that Inigo Martinez, whose absence from the Spanish national team was due to a medical leave, was not eligible to play in yesterday’s match in accordance with FIFA regulations,” Osasuna added in their statement.
Despite their grievances, Osasuna’s prior appeal to have the fixture postponed was rejected, as was Barcelona’s. By choosing to go ahead with the match, Osasuna climbed to 14th in the standings. They are now six points clear of the relegation zone.
Barcelona had their own set of logistical challenges for the rescheduled match. Due to undisclosed reasons, the team was unable to field several key players in this match, most notably Raphinha, who had just returned from international duty. However, Barcelona went on to win comfortably, reaffirming their status atop the league.
