Barcelona likely in trouble for playing 'injured' defender Inigo Martinez

Spanish giants Barcelona could be in trouble for featuring defender Inigo Martinez against the rules, according to reports.

Martinez started for Barca Thursday night in the 3-0 Spanish La Liga win over Osasuna in a rearranged clash.

The Spanish defender had withdrawn injured from the national team squad for their recent Nations League matches.

Osasuna appealed to the Spanish football federation on Friday over Martinez being ineligible, citing FIFA rules regarding players which have not joined up with their national teams.

"We won three points, and this is my focus, so I'm focusing on the next match against Girona," Barcelona coach Hansi Flick told a press conference.

"The other thing is not in my hands, it's not about me."

FIFA rules state that players cannot appear for their clubs within five days of the last national team match, if they did not join the squad when called.

Martinez played 90 minutes against Osasuna after pulling out of international duty with reported knee discomfort, as Barcelona took a three-point lead at the top of the table.

The match was played on Thursday after being initially postponed from March 8, when the Barca club doctor Carles Minaro Garcia died.