Goalkeeper Ter Stegen Declines Compliance with Document Delivery Request
FC Barcelona is currently embroiled in a dispute with goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who is refusing to sign a consent form allowing the club to share his medical data with LaLiga. This refusal has led to disciplinary proceedings against the goalkeeper and has caused tensions within the club.
The Dispute
Ter Stegen had lower back surgery, and the club aimed to use LaLiga's emergency injury rule, which would allow them to reduce his salary charge by at least 50% for registration purposes if sidelined for four months. However, Ter Stegen publicly stated he expects to be out for only three months, not four, impacting Barcelona's ability to free salary cap space. Most critically, Ter Stegen refused to sign a medical consent form to share his injury details with LaLiga, preventing the club from officially applying the injury rule.
Consequences for Ter Stegen and Barcelona
The disciplinary proceedings against Ter Stegen have resulted in the removal of his captaincy, with Ronald Araújo appointed as interim captain. The club has not ruled out making this change permanent. Legal discussions are ongoing, with Barcelona considering various actions, potentially including fines.
Impact on Barcelona’s Financial Situation
The dispute directly affects Barcelona’s ability to reduce their wage bill under LaLiga's emergency injury allowance since Ter Stegen's injury duration is contested and medical details remain undisclosed. Without the salary cap relief, Barcelona cannot register new signings such as Joan García (a goalkeeper) and Marcus Rashford as easily, affecting squad planning and finances.
Impact on Team Dynamics
The captaincy removal and public dispute risk unsettling the dressing room, as captaincy is a key leadership role. However, several teammates, including Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres, and Gavi, have publicly supported Ter Stegen, suggesting internal backing within the squad, which complicates club management decisions. The controversy creates tension between Ter Stegen and club officials, potentially affecting squad harmony and performance.
As the dispute continues, the future of Ter Stegen at FC Barcelona remains uncertain. The player's medical data is confidential, requiring his consent for disclosure. If Ter Stegen's absence is determined to be five months or more, Barcelona may have to spend 80% of his salary elsewhere. The club has previously taken advantage of this rule, as seen last year with Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo. Dani Olmo was registered after a weeks-long tug-of-war for match operation, using the freed-up space in the salary budget.
Frenkie de Jong has publicly supported Ter Stegen, stating that he is still the captain of the team. The Dutch midfielder made this statement after the friendly match against FC Seoul during the season preparation. De Jong supports Ter Stegen's efforts and believes that the team also supports him.
[1] Mundo Deportivo [2] Marca [3] AS [4] ESPN FC
- The ongoing dispute between FC Barcelona and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, stemming from his refusal to sign a medical consent form, has led to discussions about the club's community policy and employment policy, as the club considers possible actions, including fines.
- Despite the controversy and disciplinary proceedings against Ter Stegen, there seems to be support for him within the team, with Frenkie de Jong publicly declaring his belief that Ter Stegen is still the captain of the team and that the team also supports him, hinting at potential sportsmanship and camaraderie within the football team.
