FC Barcelona has officially submitted its arguments to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Competition Committee in response to Osasuna’s complaint regarding the alleged ineligible lineup of Iñigo Martínez during Matchday 27 of LaLiga EA Sports.

According to sources close to the club, Barcelona maintains that there was no violation in fielding the Basque defender in the match played on March 27 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, where Xavi Hernández’s team secured a 3-0 victory.

The Navarrese club decided to challenge the result, arguing that the defender should not have been allowed to play, citing Article 5 of Annex I of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. The rule states that a player who does not join their national team due to medical reasons or leaves the squad early cannot play for their club within five days after the end of the international break.

Barcelona Defends Iñigo Martínez’s Eligibility

Barcelona insists that the regulations were applied correctly and that Iñigo Martínez’s inclusion in the squad against Osasuna complied with all the necessary requirements. The defender was initially called up by Luis de la Fuente for Spain but was ruled out at the start of the international break due to injury, ultimately not making the final squad for the Nations League quarterfinal match against the Netherlands.

The Catalan club argues that its decision to field the player was supported by medical and regulatory grounds, with no intention of breaching any rules. As a result, Barcelona remains confident that the Competition Committee will dismiss Osasuna’s appeal.

This situation adds to other recent legal and administrative disputes involving Barcelona, keeping the club in an ongoing battle off the pitch. Now, the club awaits a ruling that, if decided in their favor, will uphold the result achieved on the field.