Barcelona announced in an official statement that it has stripped goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen of his captaincy for disciplinary reasons.
Barcelona has been seeking to end Ter Stegen’s time at Camp Nou since the beginning of the summer, which has angered the goalkeeper, manifesting in numerous actions, the latest of which was his refusal to sign the medical report stating that he would be out of action for more than four months.
After all the club’s efforts to convince the player to sign failed, Joan Laporta’s administration, in consultation with coach Hansi Liek, decided to strip Ter Stegen of the captaincy.
Barcelona’s statement explaining the reasons for the decision read, “Due to the opening of a disciplinary case against Ter Stegen, and to ensure the smooth running of this process, the club has decided, in agreement between the sporting department and the technical staff, to temporarily withdraw the captaincy from the player.”
Ronald Araujo will also become Barcelona’s new interim captain, pending a final decision on the Ter Stegen issue and the players or Hansi Flick choosing the new permanent captain, who is expected to be Rafinha.
Spanish media previously reported that a large number of Barcelona players were dissatisfied with the club’s treatment of Ter Stegen and supported the German goalkeeper’s continued captaincy.
Ter Stegen has stopped communicating with anyone in Barcelona’s management, angering President Laporta. His decision not to sign the medical report increases the club’s difficulties in finding a solution to the registration of Juan Garcia, Marcus Rashford, and Szczesny.
