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

Ter Stegen has since blocked the release of his medical records to Barcelona, as is his legal right, but club officials have been left stunned at what is perceived as a refusal to help the club register new signings—including his direct replacement.

Barcelona on Thursday said they had stripped Marc-Andre ter Stegen of the captain's armband in a continuing dispute over the German goalkeeper's fitness status.