Barcelona Launches Disciplinary Action Against Defiant Captain in Shocking Club Revolt
Barcelona are allegedly preparing to pursue legal proceedings against their captain Marc-André ter Stegen following his refusal to permit the disclosure of his medical records, which could significantly disrupt the club's preparations for the upcoming La Liga season.
The declining German shot-stopper had already faced questions about his starting position following the summer signing of Joan García before suffering a severe back injury during pre-season training. The precise duration of Ter Stegen's layoff is critical.
Based on La Liga's regulations, a rehabilitation period of four months or longer qualifies as a "long-term injury". Under these circumstances, the league's rules permit a club to utilize 80% of the sidelined player's wages to fund another squad member's salary, even when violating the division's financial fair play guidelines.
This provision would enable Barcelona to quickly register García and deploy him for the season opener in La Liga. Currently, the injured Ter Stegen and surplus goalkeeper Iñaki Peña are the only options available to Hansi Flick, as Wojciech Szczęsny remains unregistered after his previous contract expired before penning his current agreement in July.
Nevertheless, Ter Stegen adopted the unusual, surprising and unauthorized strategy of announcing via social media that his absence would last only three months. This constitutes a short-term injury, preventing Barcelona from exploiting the financial provision to register García.
La Liga does not rely on X announcements for their assessments and instead examines official medical documentation submitted by clubs. This has created the current dispute. Ter Stegen has become the first player in the league's history to decline signing the authorization form for medical data disclosure, according to Mundo Deportivo.
While each player's medical information remains confidential, Ter Stegen is technically within his rights to deny La Liga access. However, Barcelona reportedly contend that their employee has "duties to the organization that employs him and must adhere to its regulations".
What is characterized as an increasingly "tense situation" has prompted the club to engage their legal department, with threats of disciplinary action and internal penalties being considered.
No drastic measures have been implemented yet. Marca reports that Barcelona "stay composed" and have scheduled a discussion with Ter Stegen this week, hoping he will reconsider his position.
The goalkeeper's public statements on the matter have been brief and sharp. "How is my back?" he responded when questioned at Barcelona airport. "Well, when surgery is required, it indicates things aren't functioning perfectly."
Regarding his relationship with the club, Ter Stegen remarked sarcastically: "Everything is fine, it always works out well."