Why did Osasuna file appeal against Barcelona for fielding Inigo Martinez? What is Barca’s response?

Why did Osasuna file appeal against Barcelona for fielding Inigo Martinez? What is Barca’s response?

Barcelona beat Osasuna 3-0 on Thursday night in the La Liga which took it three points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, but the result of the contest is far from being conclusive.

Osasuna filed an appeal with the Spanish football federation (RFEF) on Friday, stating Barcelona should not have fielded defender Inigo Martinez in their LaLiga game over a technicality as he sat out Spain’s matches with an injury.

Martinez had withdrawn from the Spain squad on March 17, citing injury ahead of the Nations League quarterfinals against the Netherlands on March 20 and 23.

On Thursday, four days after Spain’s second leg against the Dutch, the center-back played the full 90 minutes as Barca ran out convincing winner.

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Osasuna believes there may have been a violation of FIFA regulations regarding the timeframe that must elapse between a player’s withdrawal from international duty and their next club appearance.

“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 said in a statement.

“(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 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,” it added.

Article 5 of FIFA’s Regulations on Status and Transfers of Players, states that “A player who has been called up by his association for one of its representative teams is, unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe, plus an additional period of five days.”

Barcelona hasn’t formally responded on the matter, but Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported that Blaugrana is confident on the matter. The club claims the Spanish Federation released the player after the club sent a medical report.

The club issued a statement on March 17 after the La Liga match against Atletico Madrid, claiming that he was suffering from internal parameniscitis in his right knee.