BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 23: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona smiles as he sits in the stands as he recovers from an injury prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 23, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
After a few days filled with extreme tension, FC Barcelona and Marc-Andre ter Stegen finally resolved their tiff on Friday night.
Ter Stegen, having initially refused to grant the authorisation for the club to send his medical report to La Liga, decided to go back on his stance and sign the document.
Barça, who had taken away the first-team captaincy from the German due to his actions, closed the disciplinary file opened against him and reinstated him as the skipper.
Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have wasted no time in moving forward and have now submitted Ter Stegen’s medical report to La Liga, following the German goalkeeper’s signature on Friday night.
The move is aimed at speeding up the process to register Joan Garcia, pending the La Liga Medical Commission’s decision.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 12: Marc-Andre ter Stegen of FC Barcelona reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on March 12, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Ter Stegen’s medical report has been sent to La Liga. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The ruling will determine whether Barça can use 50% of Ter Stegen’s salary for registrations, if his absence is deemed to be four months, or 80% if it is assessed at five months.
A decision is expected early next week, potentially allowing Garcia to make his official debut in LaLiga’s 2025/26 opener away to Mallorca on Saturday.
La Liga’s Medical Commission is made up of four experienced trauma specialists: Dr Fernandez Jaen, Baro Pazos, Perez San Roque and Ardevol, though the latter must recuse himself due to past ties with the Catalan club.
If the panel agrees unanimously, the league will automatically approve the club’s request to register an alternative player. If any member raises a concern, a further meeting will be held to reach a final decision.