Yamal and Lewandowski fined as UEFA cracks down on doping rule breach

DDM News

(DDM) – Barcelona stars Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have been hit with heavy fines by UEFA after being found guilty of breaching strict anti-doping regulations during last season’s Champions League semi-final clash against Inter Milan.

DDM gathered that European football’s governing body accused the two players of failing to “report immediately to the Doping Control Station” after the final whistle, a direct violation of procedures designed to protect the integrity of the sport.

According to UEFA, there was no evidence of a failed drug test, but the rules are clear and leave no room for exceptions. Once a player is selected for testing, they must proceed directly to the control station without delay or diversion.

Both Yamal and Lewandowski were each fined €5,000 for the infraction. The decision has attracted attention not for any suspicion of substance abuse, but as a firm reminder that anti-doping protocols in professional football remain rigid and non-negotiable.

It was not only the players who faced UEFA’s disciplinary action. Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, was fined €20,000 and handed a one-match ban from UEFA competitions for “violating the general principles of conduct” and “the basic rules of decent conduct.”

While UEFA did not disclose full details of Flick’s offence, its disciplinary panel made it clear that his behaviour fell short of the standards expected from officials in European competitions.

The Catalan club also faced financial sanctions for crowd trouble during the same high-pressure fixture. Barcelona were fined €5,250 after supporters were found to have thrown objects onto the pitch, and an additional €2,500 for the use of fireworks in the stands.

The semi-final match against Inter Milan had been tense both on and off the field, and these latest penalties have added to the disciplinary challenges confronting the club ahead of the new European season.

Although the monetary fines for Yamal and Lewandowski are relatively small compared to their earnings, the reputational damage and Flick’s touchline ban could have an impact on Barcelona’s early-season momentum.

UEFA’s ruling underscores its zero-tolerance stance on breaches of anti-doping rules, whether or not they involve positive drug tests. The governing body insists that its strict protocols are crucial for maintaining fairness and credibility in football.

Barcelona are yet to issue an official statement on the sanctions, but the penalties add to the growing scrutiny the club faces as it prepares for the next campaign in both domestic and European competitions.

This development comes as UEFA continues to monitor and enforce its disciplinary code to ensure that all participants uphold the principles of sportsmanship and integrity at the highest level of the game.

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