UEFA has penalised Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski for violating anti-doping rules during last season’s Champions League semi-final against Inter Milan.
According to Marca, the European football federation acknowledged that both players were found guilty of “failing to report immediately to the Doping Control Station” following the match.
As a result, the two have each been fined €5,000. While the infraction does not entail a failed drug test, UEFA’s rules require players designated for doping control to report immediately following a game – a policy designed to ensure the integrity of testing procedures.
UEFA believes that both footballers did not follow the Anti-doping Control Officer’s instructions (Art. 21.8) and did not immediately report to the checkpoint (Art. 21.10(a)), as required by the rules.
Hansi Flick, the team’s coach, was additionally fined 20,000 euros and suspended for one match in UEFA club competitions for infringing the fundamental principles of conduct (Art. 11(1) DR) and the basic criteria of decent conduct (Art. 11(2)(b) DR).
The club was also fined 5,250 euros for objects thrown into the pitch by fans and 2,500 euros for lighting fireworks during the game. All fines take effect immediately and have an impact on the next European commitment.
