Martinez Punishment ‘Out of Flick’s Hands’ as Barca Focus on Title

AFP | Barcelona
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said yesterday that his primary focus is on winning games, despite the ongoing threat of a potential punishment for an ineligible lineup lingering in the background.

Flick had selected Inigo Martinez in the 3-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Thursday, after the Spanish defender had withdrawn injured from the national team squad for recent Nations League matches. Osasuna appealed to the Spanish Football Federation on Friday, arguing that Martinez was ineligible, citing FIFA rules about players who do not join up with their national teams when called upon.

“We won three points, and this is my focus, so I’m concentrating on the next match against Girona,” Flick said at a press conference yesterday, a day before leaders Barcelona host Girona in La Liga. “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 upon, without the federation’s permission. Martinez played the full 90 minutes against Osasuna after pulling out of international duty due to knee discomfort, helping Barcelona take a three-point lead at the top of the table.

The match, initially scheduled for March 8, had been postponed after a Barca club doctor passed away, with both sides reluctant to play it this week. However, both clubs had their appeals against the rescheduled date rejected.

Flick chose to start against Osasuna with star striker Robert Lewandowski on the bench, though the Polish veteran later scored after coming on as a substitute. Lewandowski has netted 23 goals in La Liga, leading the scoring charts (Pichichi) ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe, who has 20.

“Lewandowski is focused on the success of the team, not just winning the Pichichi,” said Flick.