Barcelona strip Ter Stegen of captaincy as feud escalates

The club asked Ter Stegen to sign a long-term medical leave that would allow them to clear 80% of his wages until mid-season and comply with LaLiga's Financial Fair Play rules.

Barcelona stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captaincy on Thursday as a feud escalated between the German goalkeeper and the club over his injury status amid the Catalans' attempts to register new signings. Pic: Alex Caparros/Getty Images

Barcelona stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captaincy on Thursday as a feud escalated between the German goalkeeper and the club over his injury status amid the Catalans' attempts to register new signings.

Barca signed 24-year-old goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol last month, with the club likely expecting to sell Ter Stegen, 33, to make space in their wage bill for Garcia and Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford.