- Consider stripping keeper of the captaincy band
FC Barcelona are considering taking disciplinary action against goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen and could strip him of their captaincy as the feud between the German goaltender and the club continues.
The Club is currently going through turbulent days as Ter Stegen’s situation continues to generate debate after the keeper recently announced on his own that he would be out of action for three months due to back surgery.
The public announcement has sparked significant controversy both inside and outside the club with his early statement raising questions about his role and leadership within the Barça squad.
The development left the Blaugrana fuming and heightened tension that the Management is considering taking back captain’s armband from the German international. He was named club captain only last year after Sergi Roberto left as a free agent.
Bith parties are not enjoying the best of relationships in recent weeks and the latest development suggests the situation has deteriorated further with Mundo Deportivo reporting that Ter Stegen has refused to allow the club to send off his medical report to La Liga in a bid to prove he will be out for four months after the back surgery.
Barcelona are eager to send off the documentation so that they can use part of Ter Stegen’s salary to register new signings such as fellow keeper Joan Garcia, who joined the club this summer from rivals Espanyol and Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United
But the Germany international has not given his consent and Barcelona are now considering opening disciplinary proceedings against their captain as a result.
The situation leaves Barca in a real mess ahead of the start of the season, particularly as Joan Laporta has openly admitted that using Ter Stegen’s salary is the best way to register the new signings.
The Club must now decide what to do with him given reports suggesting that sanctions are already being considered against the goalkeeper.
However, the Spanish champions are yet to make a final call on the captaincy, as Laporta and Deco plan to meet Manager Hansi Flick to discuss the situation before taking any action.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s players will resume training after a small break that followed their return from a successful tour of Asia, where the Blaugrana won all of their pre-season friendly matches.
The club is scheduled to take on Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Sunday.
