BREAKING NEWS: Lamine Yamal and Lewandowski sanctioned for violating anti-doping rules, Barça has also confirmed it

Barcelona has been rocked by an unexpected controversy just days before the start of the new season. According to reports from Marca, two of the club’s most important stars — teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski — have been sanctioned by UEFA for violating the governing body’s anti-doping regulations.

The incident stems from events that took place shortly after Barcelona’s dramatic Champions League semi-final clash against Inter Milan, a match that ended in a thrilling 4-3 defeat for the Catalan side. While the game itself was already a bitter pill to swallow, the post-match developments have now plunged the club into an even more challenging situation.

UEFA’s disciplinary report states that both Yamal and Lewandowski failed to comply with the standard protocols set out by the anti-doping control authorities. Specifically, they did not immediately report to the designated doping control station, as required by UEFA’s Anti-Doping Regulations. This breach of procedure, though not necessarily an indication of substance use, still represents a clear violation of the rules.

As a result, both players have been handed fines of €5,000 each. While the monetary penalty may be small compared to their earnings, the reputational impact is significant, especially considering the high-profile nature of the players involved.

The fallout did not stop there. Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, was also sanctioned for breaching UEFA’s standards of conduct during the same match. The German tactician received a fine of €20,000 and a suspension that will prevent him from being on the touchline for matches in the upcoming 2025/26 Champions League campaign. Assistant coach Marcus Sorg was hit with a similar punishment, further compounding the club’s headaches ahead of the new season.

Barcelona, as an institution, was also fined nearly €10,000 for incidents involving their supporters during the Inter Milan fixture. According to the official statement, some fans were guilty of throwing objects onto the pitch and setting off fireworks inside the stadium — acts that UEFA deemed unacceptable.

The timing of these sanctions could hardly be worse for the Blaugrana. Coming off a historic domestic treble last season and reaching the Champions League semi-finals, the club had been building momentum and optimism under Flick’s leadership. The team had already set lofty goals for the upcoming campaign, with the young Yamal being seen as one of the key figures in their quest to defend both La Liga and push for European glory.

Lamine Yamal’s meteoric rise over the past year has made him a symbol of Barcelona’s new era, while Lewandowski’s experience and goalscoring prowess remain vital to their attacking force. Losing the positive energy around these two names, even temporarily, is a setback the club will now have to manage carefully.

While UEFA has stressed that the penalties are administrative in nature and not related to positive doping tests, the episode nonetheless raises questions about discipline and procedural compliance within the squad. Flick and his staff will need to ensure such lapses do not occur again, particularly with the eyes of the footballing world fixed firmly on Barcelona this season.

As the dust settles, Barcelona will now turn their focus to preparing for the start of the new season, determined to put this controversy behind them. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder that in elite football, every detail — both on and off the pitch — can have significant consequences.