Barcelona Initiates Inquiry as Ter Stegen Declines to Sign Medical Document

Published on: Aug 05, 2025 05:53 pm IST

MADRID — Barcelona has initiated disciplinary measures against Marc-André ter Stegen for allegedly refusing to sign a medical report concerning his back injury, as revealed by an individual familiar with the situation.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to a lack of authorization, disclosed the club’s intentions related to salary-cap clearance by requiring Ter Stegen’s signature on the report, aimed at facilitating player registrations under financial fair play guidelines.

The disagreement centers on differing views regarding Ter Stegen’s recovery timeline following surgery on his persistent lower back problems. Ter Stegen projected a three-month recovery duration, while the club abstained from providing an exact timeline, reporting only on the surgery’s success and an open-ended recovery determination based on his recuperation.

The outcome of the recovery process could potentially allow the club to adjust Ter Stegen’s salary from its cap, thereby enabling additional player acquisitions. Barcelona’s roster was supplemented by the signing of Espanyol’s goalkeeper Joan García in June, alongside veterans Wojciech Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña.

The Spanish league is set to assess the medical report for validation of the proposed recovery period. While Ter Stegen, a team captain, has not made public remarks post proceedings initiation, a forthcoming meeting to address the matter is anticipated.

Previously, Ter Stegen’s playtime was greatly reduced due to a knee tendon rupture and prior back surgery, occasions where Peña and Szczęsny stepped in. The specific penalties for Ter Stegen’s non-compliance with signing the document remain unspecified.

Barcelona, reigning Spanish league champion, has returned from a preseason tour in Asia.

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