Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Osasuna in La Liga on Thursday March 27, 2025, has sparked controversy, with Osasuna filing an appeal over Iñigo Martínez’s eligibility to play in the match. 

However, former Barcelona vice president Toni Freixa, an expert in sports law, believes the appeal has no legal standing.

Osasuna’s Claim: Why They Believe Martínez Was Ineligible

Martínez returned to action for Barcelona after withdrawing from Spain’s national team duty due to a knee injury. 

Osasuna argues that FIFA regulations prohibit a player from featuring for his club within five days of his national team’s last match. 

Since Spain played against the Netherlands within this timeframe, they claim Martínez should not have been allowed to play.

In the letter, the club states:

"The Osasuna Athletic Club has today filed an appeal before the Competition Committee of the Royal Spanish Football Federation for improper alignment of the Barcelona Football Club in the match played last night at the Lluís Companys stadium."

"The entity understands that the participation of footballer Iñigo Martínez in yesterday's match has violated article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Statute and Transfer Regulations, which specifies that a player who does not join the call of his selection for medical reasons, or leaves it, will not be able to play matches with his club during the five calendar days following the end of the international period."

"On March 17, the Royal Spanish Football Federation published in its Communication channels that footballer Iñigo Martínez was absent from the call for medical reasons, specifically for "an internal parameniscitis in his right knee sent in the report received from FC Barcelona." 

Likewise, that same day the Spanish national team also announced the recall of footballers Marc Casadó and Bryan Zaragoza formedical reasons, the latter being the only one who joined the concentration of the Spanish national team to be evaluated by his medical services."

"It is evident that, in compliance with the aforementioned FIFA Regulations, none of these players were able to participate in the match that took place yesterday corresponding to the 27th day of LaLiga EA Sports when the deadlines established by it were not met."

"Since a medical leave is the justification for the recall, as communicated by the RFEF itself, the Osasuna Athletic Club understands that this case cannot take advantage of any exceptional situation that makes the FIFA Regulations inapplicable. 

The Navarrese entity does value as a different issue the release of its second commitment with the Spanish U21 team of the players Gerard Martín, Pablo Torre and Fermín López, since the cancellation of them was not justified by a medical cause."

"However, Club Atlético Osasuna understands that Iñigo Martínez, whose non-appearance with the Spanish national team was limited to a medical leave, was not skilled to play yesterday's match according to what is exposed by the FIFA Regulations.

In view of this fact, the Navarre entity has made the decision to file an appeal for improper alignment in defense of its rights, the cleanliness of the competition and the equality of all its participants."

Toni Freixa’s Verdict: No Case to Answer

Toni Freixa has dismissed Osasuna’s appeal, stating that it lacks viability due to how the Spanish Football Federation handled Martínez’s call-up.

“Osasuna’s challenge has no viability because the Spanish Federation called up Iñigo Martínez, issued a statement, and even replaced him with another player,” Freixa told Sport.

“At the time he declared himself injured, the Federation had already accepted it. The five-day rule does not apply because Martínez was no longer part of the squad for Spain’s two Nations League matches.”

Barcelona Took Legal Precautions Before Playing Martínez

Reports indicate that Barcelona was fully aware of the rule before fielding Martínez. The club sought legal advice and ensured compliance before Hansi Flick gave the defender the green light to play.

With both the Spanish Football Federation’s approval and Freixa’s legal backing, Osasuna’s appeal seems unlikely to succeed. Barcelona remains confident that their comfortable 3-0 victory stands.