Barcelona stars, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal have been handed financial sanctions by UEFA after being found guilty of breaching anti-doping regulations during last season’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
According to Marca, the pair failed to comply with procedural rules after the dramatic 4-3 defeat at the San Siro.
UEFA’s disciplinary report states that both players ignored the specific instructions of the Anti-Doping Control Officer and did not proceed “directly to the Control Station without delay,” breaching Articles 21.8 and 21.10(a) of the competition’s regulations.
Watch Joseph Paintsil’s goal in LA Galaxy’s 4-0 win over Santos Laguna
While the breach was procedural rather than substance-related — meaning no tainted samples were involved — both Lewandowski and Yamal have each been hit with a €5,000 fine.
Crucially, they will not face suspensions and will be available for Barcelona’s European campaign in the 2025/26 season.
The fallout from the fiery semi-final extended beyond the players. Manager Hansi Flick and assistant Marcus Sorg have also been sanctioned, albeit for entirely different reasons.
The German coaching duo were found guilty of breaching general principles of conduct (Art. 11(1) DR) and failing to uphold the “basic standards of decent conduct” (Art. 11.2(b) DR), reportedly linked to their strong criticism of the match officials.
Flick and Sorg have each been fined €20,000 and hit with a one-match touchline ban, meaning they will miss Barcelona’s opening Champions League fixture next season.
Barcelona as a club have also been punished, receiving a €5,250 fine for objects thrown from the stands during the Inter clash and an additional €2,500 penalty for the use of fireworks by supporters.
FKA/JE
Meanwhile, watch as Derrick Maccaire opens up on challenges in kickboxing, MMA in Ghana
