Barcelona win Champions League appeal over Hansi Flick ban – will face Newcastle United | OneFootball

Barcelona will have manager Hansi Flick on the touchline for their opening game of the season against Newcastle United in the Champions League. They will have to be on their best behaviour in an intense atmosphere at St. James’ Park.

Flick and assistant Marcus Sorg were due to be in the stands for that game, after they were both handed bans by UEFA at the end of last season. During their Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Inter, both were irate on the touchline with the officiating.

Barcelona score partial victory in UEFA appeal

They were handed out punishments of one-game bans and €20k fines for their conduct, which UEFA ruled that they had infringed upon the general principles of conduct, and violated the basic rules of basic conduct. That said, Barcelona were said to be confused about the decision, and unsure what exactly they had done to merit their punishment.

Image via Alex Caparros/Getty Images

However MD report that UEFA have partially lifted their punishments, and neither Sorg nor Flick will be banned for any games. The administration costs will be paid by Barcelona, but their punishment is now suspended, and Flick and Sorg will be on probation for a year. Should they infringe upon the basic rules of conduct again, the lifted punishment will be added to the sanction.

What did Hansi Flick say about the referees?

It appears that the German duo were punished for their behaviour during the game at the Giuseppe Meazza, but Flick did discuss the referees in his press conference afterwards, perhaps hinting that his words to the referee might have been the cause.

“Some decisions were 50-50 and they have always gone to Inter. That’s football. We have to accept it. I’m very proud of my team. Sometimes you think that some of the referee’s decisions are unfair. But we have to accept it and start again next season.”

“I think about it, about the refereeing decisions but I don’t want to talk about it. It’s not fair to my team, who put in huge work. I don’t like to talk about the referee. I’ve told him what I think but I’m not going to say it here.”