LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 05: Javier Tebas President of La Liga talks during Day 1 of Soccerex Europe Convention at Tagus Park on September 5, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal.

La Liga President confirms Barcelona can bring in another player to replace Ter Stegen

Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

The severe injury suffered by the FC Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter Stegen has been the subject of most of the debate taking place around Spanish football today.

The German goalkeeper had to leave the pitch last night at the end of the first half with clear signs of pain, and after several tests, Barcelona announced that he will undergo immediate surgery today.

With his intervention, he is expected to remain on the sidelines for around seven to eight months. Thus, Barcelona will have to make a decision on whether they should sign a replacement for him or trust Inaki Pena to do the job between the sticks.

As already reported, La Liga and FIFA regulations allow clubs to sign a free agent in such a situation. As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the La Liga President, Javier Tebas, also confirmed this and provided his own insights on which course the Blaugranes can take:

“The regulations allow the incorporation of a player with the same value as the long-term injured one. A player can be brought in, whether or not they are a goalkeeper.”

The La Liga President went on to highlight the financial improvements made by Barcelona in the last few years:

“There’s a lot of exaggeration about Barça’s financial situation. It’s better than it was two years ago, and it will be even better in two years. There’s no leniency; it’s said to discredit La Liga. The Fair Play professionals are not lenient with Barça nor with Racing Santander—there are rules, and they’re for everyone. They’re complicated to understand, but they apply to all.”

Javier Tebas also commented on the Negreira case and shared his belief that no match-fixing had occurred and there was no evidence of referees being paid. Thus, these latest comments from Tebas will be received well by Barcelona, something that has not always been the case in the last few years.

Tags Javier Tebas La Liga Marc Andre Ter Stegen