According to a new update from SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is set to meet with key figures from the club’s board of directors today to determine whether Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue ...
According to a new update from SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is set to meet with key figures from the club’s board of directors today to determine whether Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue as captain of the first team.
The meeting comes amid growing tension between the goalkeeper and the club’s hierarchy over a disagreement regarding his medical report.
The root of the conflict lies in Ter Stegen’s refusal to sign a consent form allowing Barcelona to send details of his back injury to La Liga’s Medical Commission.
Barcelona are frustrated
The club believes that the goalkeeper will be out for a minimum of four months, while Ter Stegen insists he will return within three.
This dispute has escalated significantly over the past few days, prompting Barcelona to open disciplinary proceedings, which are now being handled by the club’s legal team.
Ter Stegen could be stripped off as Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The situation has deeply frustrated club president Joan Laporta and the board, who now believe that Ter Stegen’s behaviour is not in line with what is expected from a captain, and they are now seriously considering stripping him of the armband.
Hierarchy to decide captaincy future
Today marks the squad’s return to training following the pre-season tour, and it is expected that Flick will sit down with Laporta, sporting director Deco, and other members of the sporting commission to discuss the matter in depth.
The most likely outcome is that Ter Stegen will be removed as captain following the next match, after which the squad will be asked to vote for a new leader.
Interestingly, this development contradicts what Flick said during pre-season, when he mentioned that the decision over captaincy would rest with the players.
In fact, such is the seriousness of the situation that Laporta even cancelled a planned meeting with Ter Stegen on Wednesday, further signalling his disapproval of the goalkeeper’s stance.
Category: General Sports
