Barcelona allegedly knew Inigo Martinez selection violated FIFA rule

Barcelona were reportedly aware of breaking FIFA rules over fielding Inigo Martinez against Osasuna on Thursday night.

Inigo Martinez, who was declared injured in the Spain squad for the Nations League matches, later featured in the entire 90 minutes of Barca’s game in hand against Osasuna as La Blaugrana thrashed their opponents 3-0.

Osasuna later submitted a formal complaint with the RFEF, citing a FIFA rule that forbids players who withdraw from duty for their country from playing for their clubs until at least five days after the end of the international break.

In an X(Twitter) post, Osasuna revealed the officially reported case alleging an ineligibility breach in the rule in Barcelona’s La Liga lineup over the week.

PRESS RELEASE | Osasuna appeals FC Barcelona’s alleged ineligible lineup in LaLiga match.
— C. A. OSASUNA (@osasuna_en) March 28, 2025

However, reports from Catalunya Radio indicate that Barcelona were ‘aware’ of the rule and had even consulted legal experts who advised the club to field the defender anyway.

The same report adds that Barcelona is leveraging a ‘loophole’ that claims that if the federation agrees with the club in question to release the player, the regulation can no longer be enforced.

In that game, Ferran Torres was the first name on the scoresheet. Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo were also on target for Hansi Flick’s side as they clinched an emphatic win on the night and extended their lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid to three points at the top of the table.

Barcelona takes on Girona in La Liga on Sunday they as they seek to make 20 games unbeaten in La Liga, continuing a spark start for Hansi Flick and his ‘brave men’.