Fines and sanctions hit Barcelona hard

UEFA has shown no mercy to FC Barcelona after their Champions League semi-final elimination against Inter Milan at San Siro. According to Marca, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski will each be fined €5,000 for failing to immediately attend the post-match doping control. A lapse in protocol which, while carrying no sporting consequences, calls into question the club’s compliance with the regulations.

Flick and Sorg off the bench

The harshest punishment falls on the coaching staff. Hansi Flick has been fined €20,000 and handed a one-match suspension in the next Champions League for breaching the general principles of conduct and basic rules of decent behavior. His assistant, Marcus Sorg, has received the same penalty, meaning neither will be on the Barça bench for their European opener.

European debut full of uncertainty

The suspension comes after a heated clash in Italy, where Flick was booked by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak and later expressed his frustration in the press conference: "I don’t want to talk too much about the referee, but every 50/50 decision went their way." 

The Champions League league-phase draw will take place on August 28, and Barça already knows they will begin their campaign without their head coach or his assistant.