Barcelona has stripped Marc-André ter Stegen of his captain’s armband due to a dispute over his fitness status and refusal to cooperate with the club’s attempt to classify him as a long-term injury case.
The classification would allow Barcelona to deduct part of his pay from their official wage bill, helping them comply with Spanish financial fair play rules.
“As a consequence of the disciplinary proceedings initiated against player Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and until such proceedings are definitively resolved, the club… has decided to temporarily remove him as captain of the first football team,” Barca said in a statement.
Ter Stegen refused to sign a form releasing his medical data to La Liga, preventing Barcelona from declaring him a long-term absentee.
He is expected to be out for three months due to back surgery, while La Liga required a four-month absence for long-term injury status.
Vice-captain Ronald Araujo, a Uruguayan defender, will take over the captain’s duties temporarily.
They said vice-captain Ronald Araujo, a Uruguayan defender, would take over.
According to local media, the dispute centres on 33-year-old Ter Stegen’s refusal to cooperate with an attempt to have him classified by La Liga as a long-term injury case, which would allow the club to deduct part of his pay from their official wage bill.
Ter Stegen is facing heavy penalties under La Liga regulations, including termination of his contract, if the dispute is not resolved in his favour.
Ter Stegen’s place is under threat from new signings Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny, who was rewarded with a contract extension for his performance during the last season’s Liga title-winning campaign.
Barcelona’s inability to register new players due to Ter Stegen’s refusal to cooperate may affect their squad dynamics and performance in the upcoming season.
The decision to strip Ter Stegen of his captaincy may create tension within the team, potentially affecting morale and unity.
