FC Barcelona has expressed discontent over goalkeeper and captain Marc-André ter Stegen signing a joint statement by the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) opposing La Liga’s overseas matches.
Previously, AFE issued a public statement explicitly opposing La Liga’s plan to move official league matches overseas (such as to Miami, USA), criticizing the decision for lacking sufficient communication and transparency. AFE argued that due to the lack of communication and information disclosure with players, the launch procedures of a project promoted by La Liga without full notification and approval from the board of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) constitute disrespect to players. This is because it involves changes at the sporting level and requires players, as workers, to travel abroad outside the framework of domestic leagues. The statement was co-signed and supported by all captains of La Liga teams, including Ter Stegen.
Barcelona expressed surprise and discontent at Ter Stegen’s co-signature in his capacity as captain, believing that his public support for the stance against La Liga overseas matches directly conflicts with the club’s current development strategy and commercial interests. Club executives hold that as a key team member and captain, Ter Stegen should take Barcelona’s position more fully into account in public statements on major league affairs.
Although the players' association has the right to speak on behalf of players, Barcelona still hopes that Ter Stegen will communicate with the club in advance and coordinate positions on similar issues that may trigger conflicts between the league and the club. Currently, the club has not yet held a formal dialogue with him on this matter, but clear discontent has been expressed internally.
