Osasuna File Appeal Against ‘Improper’ Lineup of FC Barcelona in La Liga
The FC Barcelona vs Osasuna game on 28th March in La Liga had a bit of controversial issues off the pitch and on the pitch as well. Firstly, FC Barcelona had requested the match to be delayed further since a few of their players were not available due to the international break, and more importantly they are set to face Girona in just two days. La Liga denied their appeal and the match proceeded to take place.
Even during the match, many fans deemed Dani Olmo’s retaken penalty to be an incorrect decision however, FC Barcelona won the match 3-0, completely dominating Osasuna. A new issue has arisen with Osasuna filing an appeal against FC Barcelona for fielding Inigo Martinez.
Inigo Martinez did not play for Spain against the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals because of a knee Injury. Osasuna’s appeal here is that FIFA rules state that a player ruled out of national duty because of medical reasons has to wait at least five days to return to action. However, FC Barcelona still fielded Inigo Martinez, and now Osasuna has filed an official appeal.
Official Statement From Osasuna
“The club believes that footballer Iñigo Martínez’s participation in yesterday’s match violated Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which specifies that a player who does not join his national team squad for medical reasons, or leaves the squad, may not play for his club for five calendar days following the end of the international period.
“On March 17, the Royal Spanish Football Federation announced on its communication channels that footballer Iñigo Martínez had been removed from the squad for medical reasons, specifically due to “internal parameniscitis in his right knee, as reported in the report received from FC Barcelona.”
“Similarly, that same day, the withdrawal of footballers Marc Casadó and Bryan Zaragoza from the Spanish national team was also announced for medical reasons. Zaragoza was the only one who joined the Spanish national team training camp to be evaluated by their medical services. It is evident that, in compliance with the aforementioned FIFA Regulations, neither of these players were eligible to participate in yesterday’s matchday 27 of La Liga EA Sports, as the deadlines established by the regulations were not met.”
“Since a medical leave is the justification for the withdrawal, as communicated by the RFEF itself, Club Atlético Osasuna believes that this case cannot be considered an exceptional situation that would render FIFA regulations inapplicable. The Navarrese club does consider the release of players Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre, and Fermín López from their second match with the Spanish Under-21 national team as a separate matter, as their withdrawal was not justified by a medical reason.
“However, Club Atlético Osasuna believes that Iñigo Martínez, whose absence from the Spanish national team was due to a medical leave, was not eligible to play in yesterday’s match per FIFA regulations. In light of this, the Navarrese club has decided to file an appeal for improper fielding in defense of its rights, the fairness of the competition, and the equality of all participants.”
ALSO READ: Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Playable Character In Fatal Fury: City Of The Wolves