Franco Mastantuono's debut with Real Madrid could turn into a legal earthquake. What seemed like a simple administrative procedure for the young Argentine to make his debut in the white jersey could be hiding a legal loophole that threatens to implicate the Chamartín club.
Real Madrid begin its participation in LaLiga tonight and there's already controversy before it even starts. It's all because of Franco Mastantuono's jersey number.
The controversy is on the table. According to sources in Navarra, Osasuna is seriously considering filing a complaint against Real Madrid for fraud of law if it decides to field the Argentine footballer in tonight's match.
The reason has nothing to do with the player's qualities, but rather with the way he was registered with the Spanish Federation.
Registered as a Castilla player
Real Madrid registered Mastantuono with the reserve team's roster to avoid using a non-EU spot in the first team. It's a well-known strategy, but it raises suspicions when used with multi-million signings.
The Argentine cost €45 million, but officially appears in Castilla, a team that plays in Primera RFEF.
This detail opens the door to controversy. The Federation's statutes allow a reserve team player to participate with the first team, but the issue lies in the intent.
If Mastantuono is a strategic reinforcement for the white club, registering him as a youth player could be considered a ploy to circumvent the regulations.
The precedent of Barça with Íñigo Martínez
Osasuna hasn't forgotten what happened just a few months ago. The Navarra club already filed a complaint against Barcelona for improper alignment of Íñigo Martínez. He had refused to join the national team, claiming physical discomfort, and later appeared on the field to face Osasuna.
That situation ended up in the offices and fueled the rivalry. Now the story could repeat itself.
Osasuna sees fraud of law if Mastantuono plays as a "Castilla player" in an official First Division match.
It wouldn't be a simple administrative error. It would be a calculated maneuver to bypass the non-EU regulations.
A conflict that could explode today
The schedule has made it so that Real Madrid's first league match is precisely against Osasuna. In Pamplona, they're already preparing for an intense clash both on the field and institutionally. The club is gathering legal reports to decide whether to file an immediate complaint after the match.
Meanwhile, from Madrid, they insist that everything is in order. The regulations allow a reserve team player to be drafted and fielded with the first team without restrictions. The key will be how the competition committees interpret the footballer's status and the concept of fraud of law.
The risk of a scandal
The situation could lead to a major scandal. If Osasuna takes the case to sports courts and its complaint succeeds, Real Madrid could face exemplary sanctions.
Mastantuono's debut, which was supposed to be a celebration for the white fans, has turned into a minefield.
The tension between clubs is rising and the spotlight is already on Pamplona. The ball is in Real Madrid's court: to field or not to field the young Argentine. Whatever the decision, the controversy is already on the table.
Miguel Galán, a lawyer specializing in football matters and founder and president of CENAFE (National Center for Football Coaches Training), tried to shed light on the issue last night on El Chiringuito.
"Mastantuono has been presented as a first team player"
Galán explained that in Mastantuono's case "there could be improper alignment because he has a contract with the dependent team, which is Castilla. The rule says that jersey numbers go from 1 to 25."
Pedrerol responds that the player asks for number 30 because his idol Messi wore it. In fact, he already played with that number at River Plate.
Galán replies that this rule, the one about numbers from 1 to 25, is recent. He adds: "They're trying to take advantage of the reserve team regulations to have one more player in the first team's roster."
They see "bad faith" in Real Madrid
"He has been presented as a first team player and has a contract as a first team player."
"Osasuna already filed a complaint with Íñigo Martínez over an even lesser issue. They filed a complaint against Barça for improper alignment of Íñigo Martínez and if they scrutinized the rule then, they'll have to do it now."
"If not, they'll be exposed. Why with Barcelona and not with Real Madrid?"
"Here, there are indications that they're trying something in bad faith, with an alleged fraud of law by registering him with the reserve team and not with the first team."