1 week Ago
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has dismissed Osasuna’s appeal regarding Inigo Martinez’s eligibility to play in March’s defeat to Barcelona. Osasuna had alleged that, according to FIFA regulations, Martinez was ineligible to play in the fixture after he withdrew from the Spain squad through injury. Advertisement Osasuna cited Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations and argued that the fixture’s proximity to the international window meant the defender should not have been allowed to play after dropping out of the Spain squad on medial grounds, and the club filed an “improper line-up” appeal to the RFEF .
However, this was dismissed by the RFEF on Friday, meaning Barcelona’s 3-0 win will stand and the club will maintain their four-point lead at the top of La Liga. Had Osasuna’s appeal been successful, this could have had significant implications on the La Liga title race, with RFEF regulations stating in the instance of a club fielding a player who does “not meet the requirements to participate” the club shall forfeit the match and the opposition will be declared the winner. The fixture between the two sides had been postponed and rescheduled from March 8 following the death of Barcelona’s first-team doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia.
Both Barca and Osasuna appealed the date it had been rescheduled for due to its proximity to the international break and the lack of rest time this would allow for, but this was rejected by the RFEF. Martinez, 33, has played an important role in Barcelona’s title challenge, making 23 league appearances and playing the full 90 minutes in the win over Osasuna. Goals from Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski had secured a 3-0 win for Hansi Flick’s side.
Barcelona return to action against Leganes on Saturday. (David Ramos/Getty Images).
