Barcelona have removed Marc-Andre ter Stegen from his role as team captain amid an ongoing dispute over the German goalkeeper’s fitness status.
“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,” the club announced in a statement on Thursday.
Uruguayan defender and vice-captain Ronald Araujo will now assume the captaincy.
According to Spanish media reports, the rift stems from Ter Stegen’s refusal to cooperate with the club’s attempt to have him classified by La Liga as a long-term injury absentee, a designation that would allow Barcelona to deduct a portion of his salary from their official wage bill to meet financial fair play requirements.
With the new La Liga season fast approaching, Barcelona continue to face challenges in complying with Spanish financial regulations, which could prevent them from registering new signings. The club is also preparing to partially reopen the newly renovated Camp Nou stadium this month.
Ter Stegen, 33, has endured two injury-plagued seasons and recently underwent back surgery in late July. However, he has reportedly declined to sign a release form authorising La Liga to access his medical records, a necessary step for the club to officially declare him as a long-term injury case.
His position as the club’s No. 1 is now under threat from two other goalkeepers: 24-year-old summer signing Joan Garcia and veteran Polish shot-stopper Wojciech Szczesny, 35, who stepped in during last season’s La Liga title-winning campaign and was recently rewarded with a contract extension.
Ter Stegen is currently the last remaining member of Luis Enrique’s 2015 UEFA Champions League-winning side. If the conflict persists, he could face severe consequences under La Liga regulations, including potential contract termination.
