Barca have received a major boost ahead of their Champions League opener against Newcastle after UEFA lifted the suspension of head coach Flick and his assistant Marcus Sorg. The pair had initially been handed one-match bans following last season’s controversial semi-final elimination to Inter, but Barca appealed the ruling. According to Mundo Deportivo UEFA has partially upheld the appeal, meaning Flick and Sorg will be on the bench at St. James’ Park. Both remain under a one-year “monitoring” period, during which any further violations could reactivate the suspended ban.
The decision is huge for Blaugrana, who begin their European campaign against a resurgent Newcastle side. Flick’s presence on the touchline is important for his tactical management in what promises to be a demanding league phase of the competition.
The German coach has been tasked with restoring Barca’s European pedigree after several painful eliminations in recent years. His availability ensures continuity in leadership at a time when Barcelona are eager to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 La Liga draw with Rayo Vallecano and maintain focus on reclaiming continental success.
The ban stemmed from UEFA’s charge that Flick and Sorg had breached the governing body’s principles of conduct during last season’s semi-final tie against Inter, having angrily protested and criticised the referee’s decisions. While the suspension has been lifted, both coaches remain under probation for 12 months, meaning any further incident could lead to reinstatement of the punishment alongside fresh sanctions. Barca will cover the costs of the appeal process, though this is seen as a small price to pay for having their manager on the sidelines.
Barca must quickly shake off their domestic frustrations and turn their focus to Europe. With seven points from three La Liga fixtures, they trail Real Madrid by two points and cannot afford to let early-season slip-ups derail momentum. After the weekend’s clash against Valencia in La Liga, the spotlight will shift to the visit to St. James’ Park.
