Barça Could Lose 3 Points Against Osasuna, Challenged for Improper Lineup

Football Club Barcelona could face a sanction for improper alignment following Íñigo Martínez's participation in the match against Osasuna. The Navarrese club has filed an appeal with the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), alleging that the player did not comply with FIFA regulations.

FIFA Regulations and the Case of Íñigo Martínez

According to Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, a footballer who is medically withdrawn from their national team can't play for their club until five calendar days after the end of the international window.

Spain played their last match on Sunday, March 17, and the regulations stipulate that Íñigo Martínez should not have played with Barcelona until Friday, March 22.

The center-back was originally drafted for the Spanish national team, but due to internal parameniscitis in his right knee, the RFEF officially withdrew him. In his place, the RFEF drafted Dean Huijsen. Despite this medical withdrawal, Martínez returned to training with Barcelona on Monday and was lined up as a starter in the match against Osasuna on the same day.

Possible Legal Consequences for Barcelona

Osasuna has filed the appeal considering that Martínez's participation in the match on March 20 violated the regulations. The Navarrese entity maintains that the medical withdrawal did not justify the player's participation in the match, as the period established by FIFA was not met.

If the Competition Committee accepts the appeal, Barcelona could lose the three points from the match, and the score would change from 3-0 in favor of Barça to 0-3 against them. This could significantly alter the LaLiga standings and cast doubt on the validity of the result obtained. The situation is still under review, and the decision will depend on the interpretation of the regulations by the competent authorities.

Official Statement from Osasuna:

Club Atlético Osasuna has filed an appeal today with the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation for improper alignment by Football Club Barcelona in the match played last night at the Lluís Companys stadium. The entity understands that the participation of footballer Íñigo Martínez in yesterday's match has violated Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which specifies that a player who doesn't join their national team due to medical reasons, or leaves it, can't play matches with their club during the five calendar days following the end of the international period.

On March 17, the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced through its communication channels that footballer Íñigo Martínez was withdrawn from the draft for medical reasons, specifically due to "internal parameniscitis in his right knee as reported in the report received from FC Barcelona." Similarly, on the same day, the withdrawal of Spanish national team players Marc Casadó and Bryan Zaragoza for medical reasons was also announced, with the latter being the only one to join the Spanish national team camp to be evaluated by their medical services. It is evident that, in compliance with the aforementioned FIFA Regulations, none of these players were eligible to participate in the match that took place yesterday corresponding to matchday 27 of LaLiga EA Sports as the deadlines established by it were not met.

Since a medical withdrawal was the justification for the withdrawal, as communicated by the RFEF itself, Club Atlético Osasuna understands that this case can't be accommodated by any exceptional situation that would make the FIFA Regulations inapplicable. The Navarrese entity does consider the release of their second commitment with the Spanish under-21 national team of players Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre, and Fermín López as a different matter, as their withdrawal was not justified by a medical cause.

However, Club Atlético Osasuna understands that Íñigo Martínez, whose non-attendance with the Spanish national team was due to a medical withdrawal, was not eligible to play in yesterday's match according to what is stated by the FIFA Regulations. Considering this fact, the Navarrese entity has decided to file an appeal for improper alignment in defense of their rights, the integrity of the competition, and the equality of all its participants.