Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen was unable to cast his vote in the club’s presidential election on Sunday after an administrative issue with his membership status, a source confirmed to ESPN.
According to the source, ter Stegen’s voting rights were affected because his club membership information had not been updated in line with the requirements established for participation in the election. As a result, although he is a first-team player and a long-standing Barcelona figure, he did not meet the formal criteria needed to be included on the final list of eligible voting members for the presidential ballot.
Barcelona’s presidential elections are decided exclusively by registered club members, known as socios, who must satisfy specific conditions to vote. These typically include being up to date with membership fees and administrative data before a set cutoff date determined by the club’s electoral regulations. Any discrepancy or outdated information can lead to a member being excluded from the electoral census, regardless of their profile or status within the club.
In this case, the source indicated that the issue lay with the administration of ter Stegen’s membership rather than any last-minute dispute or disciplinary matter. The failure to update his details in time meant he was not recognized on the official list of socios entitled to participate in Sunday’s vote.
The situation underscores how Barcelona’s member-owned structure applies the same formal voting rules to all socios, from rank-and-file supporters to prominent personalities connected with the team. While players often become members and may choose to take part in key institutional decisions, their eligibility is still governed by the same statutes and deadlines as any other member.
No further details were provided regarding when the administrative oversight occurred or whether ter Stegen will take steps to regularize his membership status ahead of future club elections. The club has not publicly commented on the individual case, and there is no indication that the incident will have any sporting or contractual implications for the German international goalkeeper, who remains a central figure in Barcelona’s on-field plans.
