The Iñigo Martínez case: Testing the limits of FIFA’s 5-day ineligibility rule

This article analyses the case brought by Club Atlético Osasuna against FC Barcelona, following Barcelona’s alleged improper fielding of Iñigo Martínez. Martínez was initially included in the Spanish national squad but was the withdrawn due to injury. Notwithstanding this, Barcelona fielded him a few days later in a rescheduled LaLiga EA Sports game.  The issue revolved around the application of FIFA’s “5-day” rule, which states that players cannot play for their club during the period they have been released for national duty, plus an additional five days.  

With both the Disciplinary and Appeals Committees of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) having now issued their final decisions, the piece explores the legal implications of the case:

• Regulatory framework
• Facts and decision
• What comes next?
• Analysis and comparable cases
  • John Aloisi (2004)
  • Xavi Hernández and Carles Puyol (2006)
  • CONMEBOL vs. Premier League Clubs (2021)
  • Iñigo Martínez
• Comment