Osasuna say they have filed complaint after claiming Barcelona fielded ‘ineligible player’ against them | OneFootball

Osasuna have launched an appeal to the Royal Spanish Football Federation claiming Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez was ineligible to play against them in their defeat on Thursday.

Martinez was unable to join up with the Spanish national team despite being called up for the recent international break because of a knee injury. The 33-year-old was replaced in the squad by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.

Fifa rules prohibit a player from playing for his club within five days – unless he has the national FA’s permission – if he has not joined up with his country when called up.

Martinez played the full 90 minutes against Osasuna on Thursday, only four days after Spain’s Nations League quarter-final second leg against the Netherlands.

In a statement from the club, Osasuna said: “Club Atletico 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.

“In light of this, the Navarrese club has decided to file an appeal for improper fielding in defence of his rights, the fairness of the competition, and the equality of all participants.”

Despite the potential for the game to be forfeited for Barca fielding an ineligible player should the appeal prove successful, reports from Spain claim the club are not concerned by the issue, however.

It comes after Barcelona manager Hansi Flick had previously criticised the decision to reschedule the match for the date it took place, which meant star forward Raphinha was unable to feature after playing for Brazil 44 hours prior.

Flick also believes his side “paid the price” after seeing Dani Olmo come off injured in the first half, with the Spaniard now expected to be ruled out for up to 12 days.

“He is injured,” he said. “There are a lot of games in this calendar and he’ll miss some and it’s bad news for us. I think it was not the best date to play. And we have paid dearly because Olmo’s injury is not good for us.”