Osasuna are reportedly considering filing a complaint to the RFEF after seeing Spain international Inigo Martinez play 90 minutes for Barcelona in Thursday’s 3-0 win for Hansi Flick’s side.
Barcelona’s victory saw them top the La Liga standings with three points. However, Martinez’s participation has raised eyebrows. The Spanish defender featured after being passed fit ahead of the game following a knee injury.
The issue had caused him to withdraw from Spain duty which did bring some criticism. According to the latest report from Mundo Deportivo and COPE, the situation does not appear to have gone down well with Osasuna.
Inigo Martinez of Barcelona. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
According to the report, Osasuna are considering a challenge as they think Martinez violated a rule on the period of time that must pass after an injury absence from the national team.
“If a player misses or withdraws from the national team due to injury, he cannot play for his club for five days following the last match of the international window, unless the national federation expressly releases the player,” is the rule in question.
Spain’s last match of the international break was against the Netherlands on Sunday, four days before Barcelona’s clash with Osasuna.
As the rules stipulate, if Martinez’s participation is deemed ineligible, Barcelona could potentially be docked points from the win against Osasuna as the match may stand as a forfeit. However, other reports in Spain claim Barca are not worried about the situation.
