Barcelona's 3-0 win over Osasuna could be forfeited as LaLiga leaders are accused of breaking little-known FIFA rule

Barcelona are reportedly at risk of being sanctioned after being accused of breaking FIFA regulations in their 3-0 win over Osasuna.

After returning from the international break Hansi Flick’s league leaders picked up right where they had left off, securing a comfortable victory to remain three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.

The hosts looked set to be without veteran centre back Inigo Martinez after the 33-year-old had been forced to withdraw from international duty due to injury earlier in the week and was replaced by Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. 

Martinez was ultimately able to play the full 90 minutes on Thursday night as goals Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski saw Barca collect all three points.

Subsequent reports from Spain have claimed that Martinez’s involvement could see the Catalan club fall foul of FIFA rules.

Osasuna have since began a legal investigation and are considering filing a complaint regarding into the prospective breach, according to COPE.

But the club may have fallen foul of FIFA regulations by starting defender Inigo Martinez in the game

Martinez had withdrawn from international duty with Spain citing an injury just days earlier

FIFA regulations state that if a player is forced to withdraw from international duty that they are not allowed to represent their clubs until at least five days after the final match of the international break.

Barcelona’s win on Thursday came just four days after Spain defeated the Netherlands to reach the Nations League semi-finals.

However, the rule does not apply if a player has been officially cleared by the presiding football association, in this case the RFEF.

Despite the potential for the game to be forfeited for Barca fielding an ineligible player should any prospective appeal prove successful, separate reports from Spain claim the club are not concerned regarding the issue.

The incident marks just the latest controversy to affect the Blaugrana off the pitch this season.

LaLiga is governed by stringent financial laws that have seen Barcelona in particular struggle to register players without compromise in recent seasons as they continue to battle a financial crisis.

As such, earlier this season Barca were prevented from extending the registration for Olmo and team-mate Pau Victor as they had exceeded their allotted salary cap, with the added jeopardy of Olmo being able to leave for free if unregistered.

In January, the club were granted a precautionary measure by the Higher Sports Council (CSD) which allowed them to temporarily register both Olmo and Victor.