Barcelona have temporarily removed Marc-André ter Stegen as captain following a dispute over his injury status and the club's attempts to register new signings under financial fair play rules.
The German goalkeeper, 33, required further surgery to repair a multiple knee ligament tear sustained last season, preventing his departure in the summer transfer window. The club had hoped to sell him to make room for new arrivals including goalkeeper Joan García and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.
Barcelona asked Ter Stegen to sign a long-term medical leave that would allow them to clear 80 per cent of his wages until mid-season. However, his announcement of a three-month recovery period conflicted with competition rules, which require a player to be sidelined for at least four months to qualify as long-term injured.
"FC Barcelona announces that, following the disciplinary proceedings opened against player Marc-André ter Stegen, and until this matter is definitively resolved, the club, in agreement with the sports management and the technical staff, has decided to temporarily remove him as captain," the club said in a statement. Vice-captain Ronald Araújo will assume the captaincy in the interim.
The controversy highlights Barcelona's ongoing financial struggles as they battle to register signings. The defending champions begin their La Liga title defence on 16 August at Mallorca.
