FC Barcelona is evaluating various legal alternatives to resolve the situation of its goalkeeper, Marc-André ter Stegen, who has refused to sign the consent form to share his medical data with LaLiga.
Ter Stegen, 33 years old, underwent surgery in the lumbar area on July 29th. LaLiga will have to decide, after receiving the club’s medical report, whether to apply the long-term injury regulations to the goalkeeper’s case.
This regulation could allow Barça to free up to 50% of the player’s salary to register him, as long as the absence extends for at least four months.
However, without Ter Stegen’s consent, the club cannot share his medical information.The Barcelona sporting director, Deco, was planning to speak with Ter Stegen upon his return from the Asian tour. However, sources close to the club reported that Deco received a certified fax from Ter Stegen, in which the goalkeeper refused to sign the club’s report.
Media outlets report that the Catalan club has initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ter Stegen. Although this information has not been confirmed, it is known that various options are being considered and a financial penalty for the player is not ruled out.
Ter Stegen’s decision to undergo surgery was a setback for Barcelona, as there had been speculation that the club would allow him to leave this summer.
Barça signed Joan García, from Espanyol, to be their starting goalkeeper, and also renewed Wojciech Szczesny’s contract.
Ter Stegen’s goal is to recover and compete for the starting position at Barcelona, with the hope of being Germany’s starting goalkeeper in the 2026 World Cup.
Ter Stegen, in a statement, said he expected to be back in action in just three months, although the club estimates he will be out for at least four.
If Ter Stegen’s recovery exceeds four months, Barça could terminate his contract and register García.
The president of Barcelona, Joan Laporta, recently admitted that the “most direct route” to register the summer signings, García and Marcus Rashford, is to take advantage of LaLiga regulations on long-term injuries in the case of Ter Stegen.
However, other options are also being considered. Barcelona has not yet registered five players with eleven days to go before the start of the LaLiga title defense against Mallorca.
