FC Barcelona has slapped disciplinary action on the 33-year-old goalkeeper Ter Stegen for refusing to give his consent to the club to send his injury report to LaLiga’s medical committee. His move has effectively blocked the club from exercising the option to use 80% of his salary for financial fair play purposes to register new players. Mundo Deportivo, who broke the story, has reported that the German player might now face sanctions.
Depending on the severity of the injury, and if it’s ruled by the medical committee that his recovery can take five months or more, Barca would be able to use 80% of his salary towards the recruitment of new players. But Stegen has refused to comply. It’s been reported that Barca could have signed the goalkeeper Joan Garcia using this method.
Barca’s Robert Lewandowski, when asked about Ter Stegen’s refusal, responded, “Ter Stegen? I’m tired, thanks,” as reported by Sport.
Barca had used that fair play method last season to sign up Dani Elmo after Lalita’s medical committee had ruled that Andreas Christensen’s injury would force him out of action for at least 4 months. They had also signed Ronald Araujo in similar fashion after Inigo Martinez was ruled out for months.
And without Ter Stegen’s consent, Barca can’t submit the report as players’ medical records are deemed private and can only be shared after their permission. It’s been reported that Barca sent him a notice requesting a meeting, but he reportedly told them that he won’t sign.
The news report from Mundo Deportivo claims that, “while the club recognises Ter Stegen’s right to withhold his personal medical information, it also notes that his contract entails certain obligations. Failure to meet those obligations could lead to disciplinary and even legal consequences if the club is materially harmed.”
Ter Stegen had taken to social media earlier to announce that he would recover in three months from his surgery to resolve the lower-back issue. That timeline is in variance with the club’s estimate. In the official medical report following the surgery, the club described the procedure as a “reintervention”.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
