As Barcelona sought to take advantage of a legal provision that would help them cope with the absence of one of their key players, the club’s leadership faced a surprising internal roadblock — a situation observers called “unprecedented” in the club’s approach to dealing with player injuries.
The expected decision never came — and the reason stunned many. A senior figure in the squad, known for his leadership, unexpectedly refused to comply with the club’s plan by declining to sign an official document critical to registering a replacement and ensuring Financial Fair Play compliance.
The player in question is German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who shocked club officials by refusing to sign his medical report. This document was meant to be sent to La Liga’s medical committee to activate a clause for long-term injuries, which would have enabled Barcelona to temporarily register backup goalkeeper Juan García. According to Mundo Deportivo, his refusal disrupted the club’s strategy to temporarily free up a substantial portion — up to 80% — of his salary, creating both financial and logistical problems during a crucial period.
The issue quickly became public. During a friendly against Daegu FC in South Korea, both club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco were directly informed of Ter Stegen’s firm refusal, despite their efforts to convince him otherwise.
Although Laporta appeared composed in public, internal sources revealed that the club had already initiated a disciplinary review into Ter Stegen’s actions, accusing him of deliberately obstructing a process designed to benefit the team. Reports suggest the club may view his stance as a breach of contract, even though the goalkeeper is exercising his legal right to protect his medical privacy.
What adds complexity to the matter is that tensions between Ter Stegen and the club have reportedly been simmering for months. Comments and decisions from the goalkeeper have increasingly clashed with the board’s views, fueling speculation about a potential transfer or even a loss of the captaincy.
Additionally, Mundo Deportivo noted that Ter Stegen might have misrepresented the length of his injury, claiming a three-month recovery while Barcelona needed a four-month timeline to activate the financial relief clause.
His decision has not only disrupted the club’s sporting plans for the upcoming season but may also lead to serious legal and financial consequences. With the player remaining silent and Laporta withholding public comment, the next few days are expected to be pivotal in shaping the future of their relationship.
