Barcelona at risk of points deduction after Osasuna launch official appeal | OneFootball

Osasuna have filed a formal appeal over their 3-0 defeat to Barcelona on Thursday, arguing centre-back Inigo Martinez was ineligible to feature.

The veteran centre-back played the full 90 minutes at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, ten days after he was formally withdrawn from the Spain squad due to an injury, and herin lies the foundation of Osasuna's appeal.

Osasuna cite Article 5 of Annex I of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which states any player who is ruled out of international duty through injury is unable to play for their club for at least five days after the international window closes unless the national federation, in this case Spain's RFEF, specifically releases the player.

Adding to the controversy is the fact Osasuna were without winger Bryan Zaragoza, who also withdrew from the Spain squad through injury.

"Club Atletico Osasuna believes that Inigo Martinez, whose absence from the Spanish national team was due to a medical leave, was not eligible to play in yesterday's match in accordance with FIFA regulations," a club statement reads.

Martinez is at the heart of the argument / LLUIS GENE/GettyImages

"In light of this, the Navarrese club has decided to file an appeal for improper fielding in defence of his rights, the fairness of the competition, and the equality of all participants."

Barcelona argue that Martinez was not formally ruled out through injury, but rather released by the RFEF after club medical staff highlighted a fitness concern. In the eyes of the La Liga leaders, Martinez was free to play.

This sort of argument has only surfaced twice before in Spanish football. Coincidentally, the first time was against Osasuna and the second against Barcelona.

In 2004, Osasuna escaped punishment after using Australian striker John Aloisi just days after he withdrew from the international squad, while Barcelona also avoided punishment two years later when Espanyol argued against the use of Xavi and Carles Puyol three days after they left the Spain squad.