Barcelona Captain Ter Stegen Reinstated After Dispute Over Medical Report
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Barcelona, spain – August 11, 2024 – Marc-André ter Stegen, Barcelona’s star goalkeeper, has been reinstated as the club’s captain just days after having the captaincy temporarily removed. The reversal follows ter Stegen’s authorization for the club to submit his medical report to LaLiga, resolving a dispute over the timeline of his recovery from recent back surgery.
The Dispute and Resolution
the conflict arose after Barcelona initiated a disciplinary procedure against ter Stegen on Tuesday, August 6th, due to discrepancies regarding the expected recovery period following his accomplished lumbar surgery performed on August 1st at the Quirónsalud hospital in Barcelona. Ter Stegen had publicly stated a recovery timeframe of approximately three months, while the club refrained from providing a specific schedule, citing the recovery process itself as the determining factor.
Barcelona needed ter Stegen’s signed medical authorization to submit the report to LaLiga. This submission is crucial for creating salary cap space,enabling the club to register new players – including recent signing Joan García from Espanyol – without violating LaLiga’s Financial Fair Play regulations. The club’s financial situation has been under scrutiny following significant spending in the transfer market, including the acquisition of İlkay Gündoğan in June 2023.
On Friday, August 9th, Barcelona released a statement confirming ter Stegen’s authorization and the closure of the disciplinary file. “FC Barcelona reports that the player marc-André Ter Stegen has signed the authorization so that the medical services of the Club process in LaLiga the mandatory medical report following his surgical intervention,” the statement read. “The disciplinary file is closed and the player recovers the captaincy of the first team with immediate effect.”
Ter Stegen’s Injury History and Barcelona’s Goalkeeping Depth
This isn’t the first time ter Stegen has faced a significant injury setback.He missed the majority of the 2023-2024 season due to a broken tendon in his right knee. Prior to that, he was sidelined for approximately two months in 2023 due to a previous back operation. During his absences, veteran goalkeepers Wojciech Szczęsny, 35, and Iñaki Peña have stepped in to fill the role.
Barcelona currently has three senior goalkeepers on their roster: ter Stegen, Szczęsny, and Peña. The club invested in Joan García, 26, from Espanyol in June as further depth in the position, signaling a commitment to ensuring reliable goalkeeping options throughout the season.
Looking Ahead
Barcelona, the reigning LaLiga champions, returned to Spain on Tuesday, August 6th, after completing a preseason tour across Asia, including matches in Tokyo and Hong Kong.The team is preparing for their laliga season opener against Getafe at the estadi olímpic Lluís Companys on August 17th. Ter Stegen’s recovery and return to form will be vital to Barcelona’s success in defending their title and competing in the UEFA Champions League.
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