Barca boss Flick banned for Champions League opener

Manager Hansi Flick will miss Barcelona's first Champions League match of the season after being sanctioned by Uefa for misconduct.

Flick has been given a one-match ban and fined £17,000 by the European governing body's disciplinary committee.

The German was critical of several refereeing decisions during Barca's 4-3 Champions League semi-final second-leg defeat to Inter Milan in May, with the Spanish club losing 7-6 on aggregate.

Flick's assistant Marcus Sorg has been handed the same punishment.

The opening round of the Champions League takes place from 16 to 18 September.

Former Germany boss Flick was appointed as Barcelona manager in June 2024 and won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup in his first season.

In a separate decision, Barcelona forwards Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have each been fined £4,300 for failing to comply with instructions from an anti-doping officer and not immediately reporting to a control post at the same game.