Osasuna to appeal after failing in case against Barcelona
After failing to convince the Disciplinary Committee, Osasuna has announced they will take their complaint against Barcelona to the Appeals Committee of the Spanish Football Federation.
Osasuna had filed a complaint accusing Barcelona of fielding an “ineligible player” in their match on March 27, shortly after the international break. The player in question was defender Iñigo Martínez.
Following a two-week review, the Disciplinary Committee ruled in favor of Barcelona, rejecting Osasuna’s complaint.
The issue stemmed from a FIFA rule that Osasuna cited in their case. The 33-year-old Martínez had been called up to the Spain national team but did not join the squad due to injury.
According to FIFA regulations, if a player withdraws from international duty due to injury, they are not allowed to play for their club for five days after their national team’s final match—unless cleared by the federation.
Spain’s last match during the international break took place on March 23. Barcelona’s game against Osasuna was played just four days later. Osasuna, who lost the match 3–0, argued that Martínez’s inclusion violated FIFA’s five-day rule.
Martínez had been called up for Spain’s UEFA Nations League quarter-final matches against the Netherlands but was later ruled out due to a knee injury. The Spanish national team officially withdrew him from the squad on March 17 after receiving his medical reports.
Spanish sports daily Mundo Deportivo explained the ruling in Barcelona’s favor, stating that:
“FIFA’s interpretation supported Barcelona. The club argued that the five-day rule only applies if a player refuses to join their national team or a club refuses to release the player for international duty.”
Despite the decision, Osasuna isn’t backing down. In a statement, they confirmed:
“We will be appealing the decision to the Spanish Football Federation’s Appeals Committee.”
