Barcelona Evaluates Legal Options After Ter Stegen’s Refusal
FC Barcelona is in a legal dilemma after Marc-André ter Stegen refused to sign the consent form to share his medical data with LaLiga. The club is considering various alternatives to resolve the situation, according to sources close to the institution.
Ter Stegen, who underwent surgery on his lower back on July 29, could be key for the team to be able to register their new signings.The 33-year-old German goalkeeper underwent surgery for a lower back injury on July 29th.
LaLiga must determine, after receiving the club’s medical report, whether to apply the emergency injury rule in the case of Ter Stegen. This regulation would allow Barcelona to release up to 50% of the player’s salary to register him, as long as the absence is for at least four months.
However, Ter Stegen’s refusal to provide his medical information complicates the process.
The Barcelona sporting director, Deco, planned to speak with Ter Stegen after the team’s return from the Asian tour. However, sources reported that Deco was surprised to receive a certified fax from Ter Stegen, where the goalkeeper refused to sign the club’s report.
Although there is no official confirmation, it is rumored that the club has initiated disciplinary actions against the goalkeeper. Various options are being evaluated, including a possible financial sanction.
Ter Stegen’s decision to undergo surgery represents a setback for Barcelona, who, according to reports, considered his departure from the club this summer.
Barcelona signed Joan García, from Espanyol, to be their starting goalkeeper and renewed Wojciech Szczesny’s contract.
Ter Stegen is looking to recover to compete for the starting position at Barcelona and aspire to be Germany’s starting goalkeeper in the 2026 World Cup.
Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, admitted that the “most direct route” to register the summer signings, García and Marcus Rashford, is to apply LaLiga’s emergency injury rule in the case of Ter Stegen. However, other alternatives are also being considered. Barcelona still has five unregistered players 11 days before the start of the LaLiga title defense against Mallorca.
