Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Barcelona’s trusted goalkeeper, finds himself at the heart of a growing conflict with the club as tensions rise over his stance on a critical administrative matter.
The issue has sparked a potential legal battle, with the club weighing significant measures to address the situation.
As Barcelona navigates its financial constraints under La Liga’s regulations, this dispute could have far-reaching implications for both the player and the team’s strategy.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is considering serious disciplinary action against Ter Stegen after he refused to consent to sharing his post-surgery medical report with La Liga’s Medical Commission.
This report is essential for the club to classify his injury as long-term, allowing them to use 50% or 80% of his salary to register a replacement player.
The club has escalated the matter to their legal department, which is preparing a disciplinary file.
If approved by legal experts and the board, Ter Stegen could face internal sanctions, ranging from fines to suspension without pay.
The potential disciplinary action hinges on the collective agreement between La Liga and the Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE), which labels acts of disobedience causing serious harm to the club as “very serious.”
Ter Stegen’s refusal is viewed as such, as it blocks Barcelona from freeing up wage margin for new registrations.
Sanctions could include a fine of up to 35% of his monthly salary—potentially €340,000—or a suspension of 11 to 30 days. In extreme cases, contract termination is possible, though unlikely.
Ter Stegen’s stance is backed by Spain’s Organic Law on Data Protection, which grants him control over his personal data, including the right to object to its sharing.
The AFE is closely monitoring the situation, ready to intervene if needed.
As this dispute unfolds, Barcelona must balance their financial needs with respecting Ter Stegen’s legal rights, while the goalkeeper faces the risk of sanctions that could strain his relationship with the club further.
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