Hansi Flick enjoyed a hugely successful start to his Barcelona career in the 2024-25 season. He led the club to a sensational domestic treble and also guided the Catalans to the semifinals of the Champions League. Apart from winning the La Liga ahead of Real Madrid, Barcelone also beat their arch-rivals in two Cup finals - Copa del Rey and the Supercopa to complete the domestic treble. However, Barcelona's new Champions Season will start without their coach in the opening game as Hansi Flick and his assistant Marcus Sorg have been handed a one-match ban by the UEFA. They have also been fined fined 20,000 euros ($23,320) each. Here is why.
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Last season, it seemed like Barcelona would make it to the final of the Champions League too, but were undone by Inter Milan in the semifinal in what was a rollicking game of football. As the intensity and stakes rose, tempers flared and Barcelona went down in extra time of that contest. Known for his passionate outbursts near the touchline, Flick was vocal about the refereeing standards of the game and indirectly hinted that Inter got the rub of the green when it came to some of the marginal decisions on the pitch.
“I don’t want to talk about the referee but each decision that was 50-50 went for them. We have to accept that,” Flick had said after the match. He, however, had wished Inter well in the final which the Italian side lost to Paris Saint Germain (PSG) in a 5-0 thrashing.
“I wish Inter well in Munich, they did a great job and are a great team. They defend really well and they work together and have good strikers," said Flick in the press conference that followed the epic encounter.
It was evident then that Flick might get into trouble, given how strict UEFA are regarding any show of dissent in the officiating. Barcelona and Flick are yet to react to this sanction but the 60-year-old German will miss Barcelona's opening encounter of the new Champions League season.
