Good news for FC Barcelona. LaLiga's Medical Commission validated this Wednesday the long-term leave of Marc-André ter Stegen, which allows the azulgrana squad to avail themselves of article 77 of the Budget Preparation Standard for Clubs and SADs.
What does this mean then? That the LaLiga Medical Commission has estimated that the injury of MATS —who underwent surgery on July 29 to correct lumbar problems— will last a minimum of four months.
Given that the culé team notified this situation within the maximum period of 30 days established by the regulations, the culé team can avail themselves of the article that allows them to use up to 40% (if it is four months) or 80% (five or more) of the German's salary space to register players. In this case, the chosen one to occupy that place is the goalkeeper Joan García.
Official statement from FC Barcelona about Ter Stegen and Joan García
In an official statement, the Catalan team stated: "FC Barcelona informs that the LaLiga Medical Commission has resolved that the injury of player Marc-André ter Stegen meets the long-term criteria established by current regulations".
After corroborating this opinion, the azulgrana entity announced that it will take advantage of the situation to register goalkeeper Joan García: "The Club will proceed tomorrow to immediately formalize the registration of player Joan García", they specified from the institution.
Ter Stegen and the soap opera that kept the azulgrana club in suspense
This is how one of the great soap operas that affected the team from the City of Barcelona during this summer market is resolved. It should be remembered that Marc-André ter Stegen, at first, was reluctant to sign the medical report necessary for the LaLiga Medical Commission to assess it.
However, after a series of measures adopted by the club —the most notable was removing his captaincy and opening a disciplinary file—, the positions changed. The German goalkeeper, after issuing a conciliatory statement, made clear his willingness to sign the aforementioned report.
Once signed by MATS, the report was delivered to the LaLiga Medical Commission. Five days after being presented, and after its respective assessment, it was determined that Ter Stegen will be out of service for at least four months.
- 📌 THE FACT: Doctor Tomás Fernández Jaén, member of the LaLiga Medical Commission, went to the Sports City this Wednesday to examine the azulgrana '1'. He was accompanied by the head of the medical services of FC Barcelona, Xavier Corbella.
Joan García's registration assured for the start of LaLiga
Now, this movement also clears one of the great unknowns ahead of the start of the season: the registration of Joan García. FC Barcelona was even considering carrying out the registration of the goalkeeper through a guarantee.
With the validation of Ter Stegen's long-term leave, this will no longer be necessary. The blaugrana team will be able to count on Joan García duly registered and ready for his league debut against RCD Mallorca next Saturday, August 16, thus ensuring coverage in the goal from the beginning of the campaign.
What remains an uncertainty goes beyond the registration of the goalkeeper from Sallent de Llobregat. There are still players pending registration, among which are:
- Marcus Rashford
- Wojciech Szczęsny
- Gerard Martín
- Marc Bernal, whose situation is less priority, since there is the possibility of registering him with a card from Barça Atlètic
- Roony Bardghji, also with less priority due to the option of registration through Barça Atlètic