Barcelona ‘admit they KNEW about potential rule-break in 3-0 win over Osasuna’ after being accused of fielding an ineligible player that could lead to Catalan giants FORFEITING the match

• Barcelona have reportedly admitted that they were aware of the infraction 
• Osasuna subsequently filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) 
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By ZAC CAMPBELL

Barcelona have reportedly admitted that they were aware of allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their La Liga fixture against Osasuna on Thursday night. 

Osasuna filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) which claimed that Martinez should not have been allowed to appear for the Catalan side after he withdrew from the Spain squad for March’s international break. 

Osasuna argue that his withdrawal rendered him ineligible to play against them according to FIFA regulations.

RFEF regulations state that if a team select a player who does ‘not meet the requirements to participate’ the relevant club must forfeit the match – with their opposition being declared the winner.

According to a report from Catalunya Radio, via Diario Sport, Barcelona were said to be alerted to Martinez’s inclusion in their starting lineup being a risk – only to give their manager Hansi Flick the green light to play him anyway. 

The report also claims that sources close to the club wanted to avoid any legal risk, which is why they were said to have sought legal advice on the matter from specialists in sport administration law. 

Barcelona have reportedly admitted that they were aware of allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their La Liga fixture against Osasuna on Thursday night.

Osasuna filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) which claimed that Martinez should not have been allowed to appear for the Catalan side 

In a statement released on Friday, Osasuna referenced Article 5 of Annex I of FIFA Regulations. 

This states that a player is, ‘unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released… plus an additional period of five days.’

RFER rules state: ‘A club that improperly fields a player who does not meet the requirements to participate in a match shall forfeit this match and the opponent shall be declared the winner with a score of three goals to zero.’ 

Martinez, who has played an integral part in Barcelona’s La Liga title challenge this season, withdrew from Spain’s squad on March 17 because of a knee injury. 

However, per FIFA’s official match calendar, players were required to be made available for their national teams between March 17 and March 25. 

Barcelona’s match against Osasuna took place two days later on March 27.

Any potential forfeit of the match would come as a devastating blow to Barcelona in their bid to retain LaLiga as only six points separate themselves, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid – who sit in third. 

Barcelona will seek to extend the gap to the two Madrid clubs in their next fixture, which sees them take on Catalan rivals Girona on Sunday afteroon 

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Barcelona ‘admit they KNEW about potential rule-break in 3-0 win over Osasuna’ after being accused of fielding an ineligible player that could lead to Catalan giants FORFEITING the match

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