Barcelona could be forced to forfeit a La Liga game they won 3-0 amid an investigation into ‘potential rule breaches’, it has been revealed.
Hansi Flick’s team currently leads La Liga with 63 points from 28 games.
On Thursday night, they secured a 3-0 win against Osasuna, despite Flick criticizing the scheduling, as some of his players had competed in international matches less than 48 hours earlier. Goals from Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski sealed the victory for Barcelona.
However, the win could be overturned if alleged rule violations are confirmed. According to Cadena COPE, Osasuna is investigating whether Barcelona fielded an ineligible player.
Defender Iñigo Martínez played the full match on Thursday, despite having withdrawn from Spain’s national squad at the start of the international break due to a knee injury. He was replaced in the squad by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.
FIFA regulations prohibit a player from representing their club for five days after the final match of an international window if they have withdrawn from their national team. Since Spain’s last game was against the Netherlands on Sunday, only four days had passed before the Osasuna match.
Article 5 of FIFA’s rules states that unless an agreement is made with the relevant association, a player called up for international duty cannot play for their club during the release period plus an additional five days.
Osasuna is now investigating whether the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) officially released Martínez based on medical grounds or if there was an arrangement with Barcelona to allow him to play.
