BREAKING NEWS: UEFA sanctions Hansi Flick, Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski, what happened?

The governing body of European football, UEFA, through its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee, has announced a series of sanctions for members of the first squad of FC Barcelona. As well as for the institution itself.

The players Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski were fined €5,000 each. The reason for these sanctions is related to the breach of the instructions of the Anti-Doping Control Officer after the match against Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza, at the end of the semi-final tie in the Champions League 2024/25.

According to reports, both players did not immediately go to the doping control station, violating articles 21.8 and 21.10 of the current regulations. This breach led to the imposition of the aforementioned financial penalties.

1. 📌 ARTICLE 21.8
2. 📌 ARTICLE 21.10

Fines and suspension for Hansi Flick and Marcus Sorg: why?

In addition to the sanctions against the players, coach Hansi Flick and his assistant Marcus Sorg were also punished. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee imposed a fine of €20,000 on both, along with a one-match suspension in UEFA club competitions.

These measures derive from the infringement of the general principles of conduct, specifically under article 11.1 DR. In turn, the sanction contemplates the infringement of the basic rules of decent conduct, article 11.2. B DR, which demonstrates the seriousness of the breach.

1. 📌 ARTICLE 11.1 (DR): "Member associations and clubs, as well as their players, officials and members, and all persons assigned by UEFA to perform a function, must respect the Laws of the Game, as well as the UEFA Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions, and comply with the principles of ethical conduct, loyalty, integrity and sportsmanship".
2. 📌 ARTICLE 11.2. B (DR): "For example, an infringement of these principles is committed by anyone who:

   
   A. Engages or attempts to engage in fraud, active or passive bribery and/or corruption.

   B. Whose behaviour is insulting or otherwise violates the basic rules of decent conduct...".

It should not be forgotten that, in that match, among other situations that occurred on the pitch that showed Hansi Flick's dissatisfaction with the refereeing of Szymon Marciniak, the coach publicly expressed his displeasure at the press conference after the match, pointing out how the Polish referee's performance conditioned Barcelona's chances of getting a positive result in Italy.

Financial penalties for Barcelona for improper conduct of their fans

Finally, the resolution also included fines for FC Barcelona for inappropriate behaviour by their fans in the aforementioned match between the Blaugrana and Nerazzurri. The Catalan side will have to pay €5,250 for throwing objects onto the pitch (article 16.2.b) and €2,500 for lighting flares (article 16.2.c).

1. 📌 ARTICLE 16.2. B (DR): "All associations and clubs are responsible for the following inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives, even if they can demonstrate the absence of negligence in the organisation of the match:
   
   A. The invasion of the field of play.
   B. The throwing of objects that may endanger the physical integrity of other persons present at the match or that affect the orderly development of the match...".
2. 📌 ARTICLE 16.2. C (DR): "All associations and clubs are responsible for the following inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters and may be subject to disciplinary measures and directives, even if they can demonstrate the absence of negligence in the organisation of the match:
   
   A. The invasion of the field of play.

   B. The throwing of objects that may endanger the physical integrity of other persons present at the match or that affect the orderly development of the match.
   C. The lighting of fireworks or other objects...".

All these sanctions take immediate effect and represent a wake-up call for the institution regarding the management and control of sporting events.