Osasuna had officially protested against Barcelona on March 27 in their La Liga game against the use of defender Iñigo Martínez on the basis that his participation violated FIFA regulations.
Osasuna argued that since Martínez had been summoned earlier in March to play for Spain, he had to be deemed ineligible under the regulations provided in Article 5 of the release of players.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona has been officially cleared by the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee after a complaint by Osasuna regarding an irregular lineup with defender Iñigo Martínez in their last league match.
The Navarra club had complained that Martínez’s appearance violated FIFA regulations on national team call-ups, but the RFEF’s lengthy investigation concluded that Barcelona was under the law.
The dispute centered on Article 5 of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which states that a player called up for international duty cannot feature for their club during the release period plus an additional five days—unless their national association grants approval.
However, the RFEF’s investigation revealed that Martínez was officially released by the Spanish federation on March 17 due to injury, with Dean Huijsen replacing him.
Crucially, FIFA’s guidelines clarify that the five-day restriction does not apply when a player is medically exempted, as outlined in Article 4 of the regulations.
Barcelona submitted written evidence of Martínez’s lawful release, and the RFEF’s disciplinary committee confirmed there was no infraction.
The ruling focused on the aspect that the defender’s withdrawal was according to procedure, rendering Osasuna’s complaint null and void.
The ruling not only vindicates Barcelona’s name but also establishes how crucial open communication is between national teams and clubs.
With the case disposed of, Barcelona can now proceed with their other games without added distraction.
The decision also lays down a marker for the future, as it is now firmly established that hurt players officially dismissed by their federations are immune from eligibility bans.
For Osasuna, the failed appeal brings an end to a thorny incident, and Barcelona’s respect for procedures has been emphatically validated.
The ruling serves to underscore the thoroughness of FIFA’s rulebook and the obedience of Barcelona in a season where off-field problems have tended to overshadow on-field action.
With the season now at its most dramatic point, the club can put the scandal behind them and concentrate on their sporting ambitions.
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