Aug 5 (V7N) - FC Barcelona has opened disciplinary proceedings against veteran goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen after he refused to sign a medical report concerning his recent back surgery.

The club requires the signed report to submit to the Spanish league, which would allow them to secure salary-cap relief and register new players without breaching financial fair play regulations. The club and Ter Stegen are reportedly at odds over the expected duration of his recovery. Ter Stegen, who underwent surgery last week for a recurring lower back problem, estimated a three-month convalescence. However, reports suggest the club is hoping for a longer timeline of at least four months, which is the minimum required under La Liga's rules to free up a portion of a player's salary.

The club signed goalkeeper Joan García from Espanyol in June, and the salary-cap space created by Ter Stegen's long-term injury would be crucial to facilitate his registration. The signed medical report must be reviewed and approved by the league's medical committee before an official recovery timetable is confirmed.

Ter Stegen, one of Barcelona's team captains, has not yet commented publicly on the disciplinary action. He and club officials are expected to meet soon to resolve the issue. It remains unclear what type of penalty, if any, the 33-year-old goalkeeper may face for refusing to sign the document. Ter Stegen missed most of last season due to a knee tendon rupture and also underwent back surgery in 2023. During those periods, Wojciech Szczęsny and Iñaki Peña served as starters.

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