Jul 30, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski (9) reacts after making a penalty kick against Manchester City in a tie breaker during a Champions Tour friendly match at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

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Barcelona Stars Yamal and Lewandowski Fined for UEFA Anti-Doping Breach

Barcelona’s preparations for the 2025/26 La Liga season have been overshadowed by UEFA sanctions against star forwards Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski for breaching anti-doping regulations. The incident happened after Barcelona’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan. Notably, both players did not follow the anti-doping officer’s instructions and failed to go straight to the designated testing area.

UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee fined each player €5,000 (£4,336), with the penalties taking effect immediately and impacting Barcelona’s next European fixture. The sanctions on the two players come just a week before Barcelona open their La Liga title defence against RCD Mallorca. The Spanish giants will aim to build on last season’s domestic treble and their impressive Champions League semi-final run under Flick.

🚨 UEFA have fined Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski €5,000 for violating anti-doping regulations after the match against Inter Milan! 🤯

The governing body believes that the two players did not immediately report to the control post.

(Source: @marca) pic.twitter.com/EebKzUlvwz
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 8, 2025

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Hansi Flick Banned for Champions League Opener

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick will miss the team’s first Champions League game of the season after being banned by UEFA for misconduct. The German coach has been handed a one-match suspension and fined £17,000 by UEFA’s disciplinary committee. His assistant, Marcus Sorg, also received the same punishment. As a result, Barcelona will have to play their oPening game of the Champions League without both their manager and assistant coach.

🚨 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: Hansi Flick and his assistant Marcus Sorg have been punished with a fine of 20,000 euros and a 1-game suspension in UEFA club competitions for violating the general principles of conduct and basic rules of decent conduct.

— @marca pic.twitter.com/XTWkQAVq7H
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) August 8, 2025

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The sanction comes after Flick criticised several refereeing decisions during Barcelona’s 4-3 loss to Inter Milan in the second leg of last season’s Champions League semi-final, which saw them lose 7-6 on aggregate.

The first round of this season’s Champions League will be played between 16 and 18 September. Flick took charge of Barcelona in June 2024 and enjoyed a strong first season at the club as he won the La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

Hansi Flick’s squad have returned from an 11-day pre-season tour that began on 25 July, winning all three of their friendlies. They started with a 3-1 victory over Vissel Kobe in Japan, then travelled to South Korea where they beat FC Seoul 7-3 and Daegu FC 5-0.

Barcelona

Hansi Flick

Robert Lewandowski

UEFA

UEFA Champions League

Yamine Lamal

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.