Reports emerge of Barcelona fielding ineligible player in Copa del Rey

The aforementioned rule breach; the featuring of Chumi in Ernesto Valverde's starting eleven, could yet prove very costly for both himself and FC Barcelona. The player had been suspended from playing for the club's second side, by virtue of an over-accumulation of yellow cards, the fifth and final of these he received in his side's match with Castellon. 

Now, according to article 56.3 of the disciplinary code, Chumi should not have played 'until he had fulfilled the relevant sanction for his side'. This rule dictates that the player is not allowed to be involved in matters 'in any of the teams or clubs' until they sit out the relevant competition in which the transgression was committed, for the given number of days. 

In cases of ineligible fielding of a player, the disciplinary code of the Spanish Football Federation is very clear: 'Any club that fields an ineligible player and thus breaks the specific requirements to be able to participate in a match, it will forfeit their right to play, thus declaring their opponent the winner, with a result of three goals to nil, unless a superior scored has been obtained, if it relates to a knockout fixture, the one in question will be resolved in favour of the opponent.'

So, the rule clearly confirms that any ineligible fielding of a player , results in an immediate disqualification of the offending team. Chumi was one of the three players, alongside Mujica and Jaime, who were suspended for Barcelona B's match with Alcoyano. However, Barcelona sources quoted by 'El Mundo' defended that the fielding of the player was legal, supporting the article 38 of the Spanish Football Federation rules. This document gives credence to the club. In addition, the supposed affected party in this matter, Levante, did not raise complaints about the matter. The 48 hour notice period passed without incident. 

Barcelona's defence is based ont he article that dictates the following: 'The manner of non-compliance with the sanctions imposed as a consequence of the commission of infractions for cases in which there is a concurrence of licenses of those allowed in the general regulations of the RFEF, will comply with the provisions of this article, although minor sanctions will be met in competitions in which the offender is making use of a certain license.'

Despite the chaos that the allegations have caused, it appears as though no action will be taken against the club, and it will therefore continue to participate in the Copa del Rey.