Barcelona is exploring different legal avenues to address the situation with goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen after he declined to authorize the sharing of his medical information with La Liga. Ter Stegen, 33, underwent back surgery on July 29, and the La Liga Medical Committee now needs to determine whether emergency injury protocols apply based on the injury report submitted by the club.
Barcelona may have waived at least 50% of Ter Stegen’s salary for registration purposes under La Liga’s injury provisions. However, without his consent, the club cannot share his medical details.
Sporting director Deco was set to discuss the matter with Ter Stegen upon the team’s return from its tour in Asia. Nonetheless, he was taken aback when he received a fax from Ter Stegen certifying his refusal to sign the injury report. Reports from Spanish media suggest that the club has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the goalkeeper.
While sources have not confirmed these reports, they do indicate that various actions are being considered, including potential fines for the player. ESPN has reached out to a representative for the German international for further comments.
The decision for Ter Stegen to go ahead with surgery marks a significant setback for Barcelona, especially as the club aimed for a summer transfer involving him. In the meantime, they have signed Joan Garcia from Espanyol as their primary goalkeeper and chosen to extend the contract of veteran Wojciech Szczęsny.
Ter Stegen aims to reclaim his position as the starting goalkeeper at Barcelona while also vying for the same role with the German national team in the 2026 World Cup. Although Barcelona anticipates a four-month recovery for Ter Stegen, he maintains hope for a return in three months. If his recovery extends beyond four months, the club could terminate his contract and proceed with registering Garcia.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta emphasized that utilizing La Liga’s emergency injury rules might be the quickest way to register summer signings like Garcia and Marcus Rashford, although the club is also considering alternative options. Currently, they have not registered five players just days before the start of the La Liga season against Mallorca.
Fan Take: This situation matters significantly to soccer fans as it highlights the intersection of player health, club strategies, and financial implications in the sport. The resolution could set a precedent for how clubs handle similar situations moving forward, influencing their competitiveness in upcoming seasons.
