Barça starts disciplinary action against ter Stegen - Barcelona to initiate disciplinary proceedings against goalkeeper Stegen
In a surprising turn of events, FC Barcelona has announced plans to initiate disciplinary proceedings against their star goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen. The dispute revolves around ter Stegen's refusal to share medical data related to his recent back surgery, which has caused a potential issue for the club's financial fair play status and roster management.
Ter Stegen underwent back surgery and is expected to be out for at least four months. The club wanted to classify him as a long-term injury case under LaLiga rules, which would allow them to free up at least 50% of his salary for registration purposes. However, ter Stegen legally refused to sign the consent form allowing the club to share his medical records with LaLiga, blocking the process and frustrating the club’s financial strategy.
Barcelona temporarily stripped ter Stegen of his captaincy and appointed vice-captain Ronald Araujo as the temporary captain. The disciplinary action reflects Barcelona's view that ter Stegen’s refusal to cooperate is detrimental to the team. Under LaLiga regulations, he could face severe penalties, including contract termination.
The situation has caused considerable internal tension. While Barcelona officials see his stance as putting himself above the team, several key players—such as Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, and Gavi—have publicly supported Ter Stegen, complicating the club’s internal dynamics. The dispute also endangers Ter Stegen’s position as starting goalkeeper, especially after the summer signing of Joan García, who could replace him if the conflict remains unresolved.
The potential new signing, García, was signed as the new number one from Espanyol Barcelona in the summer. Meanwhile, Manchester City, Manchester United, FC Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus Turin, Galatasaray Istanbul, and AS Monaco were reportedly interested in Ter Stegen before his recent injury.
If ter Stegen remains out for the specified duration, Barcelona could use 80% of his salary to register a new player, according to financial fair play rules in Spain. However, the club is aware of Ter Stegen’s right to withhold consent, but also of its obligations towards the employer.
The incident involving ter Stegen's injury report and the potential disciplinary action could have implications for Barcelona’s upcoming season. The club is navigating a delicate balance between respecting their player's rights and ensuring the team's financial stability and competitive edge. The outcome of this dispute will undoubtedly shape the course of FC Barcelona's season and Ter Stegen's future with the club.
[1] Mundo Deportivo [2] DPA News Agency [3] ESPN [4] Marca [5] Sky Sports
The community is expressing concern about the ongoing dispute between FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, as the issue might impact the team's financial fair play and roster management. Meanwhile, European leagues such as LaLiga and other top-tier clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, FC Chelsea, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus Turin, Galatasaray Istanbul, and AS Monaco have been following the situation closely, given ter Stegen's renowned skills in football. Some regional policy advocates argue that this incident highlights the need for policies that balance the rights of players and the financial stability of clubs to ensure regional development and the success of regional teams.
