Overview
- Barcelona opened a disciplinary proceeding and removed Marc-André ter Stegen’s captaincy following his refusal to sign the long-term injury document required by LaLiga.
- Ronald Araujo will serve as acting first-team captain until the disciplinary process is concluded.
- LaLiga granted a long-term injury exemption on August 2 freeing up 80% of Ter Stegen’s salary for new signings, but Barcelona cannot complete Joan García’s registration without the player’s consent.
- Ter Stegen has undergone a patella tendon repair and a July back operation and has resisted sharing detailed medical records to protect his privacy.
- The case highlights Barcelona’s financial fair-play pressures as coach Hansi Flick advances a goalkeeping overhaul featuring Joan García’s arrival and Wojciech Szczesny’s contract extension.