Mattéo Guendouzi Receives Two-Game Champions League Ban
NYON, Switzerland — Mattéo Guendouzi will miss Fenerbahce’s long-awaited return to the Champions League after UEFA handed the midfielder a two-match suspension for his role in the ugly scenes that followed last month’s playoff win at Lyon.
The former Marseille player, already a hate figure for many Lyon supporters, stood at the center of the chaos before and after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 victory on Aug. 26 — a result that sent the Istanbul club into the group stage for the first time in 18 years.
UEFA’s disciplinary body ruled that Guendouzi had violated rules of decent conduct, insulted players or others present at the match, and provoked spectators. The verdict landed late Friday. The punishment was heavy: a two-game ban and a €50,000 ($58,000) fine.
The suspension means the 27-year-old will sit out Fenerbahce’s home opener against Roma next Thursday and the trip to Aston Villa on Oct. 14.
Flashpoint in Lyon
The atmosphere had been charged from the start. Guendouzi, a product of Paris and a former Marseille midfielder, did little to cool it. During the warmup and again after the final whistle, he raised his middle fingers toward Lyon fans and shouted “Allez l’OM” — “Go Marseille” — in their direction. In the post-match bedlam, he also grabbed his crotch while celebrating.
Guendouzi later said Lyon supporters had insulted his family before and during the game, but UEFA still came down hard on his behavior.
The tension boiled over near the players’ tunnel after full time. Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira launched himself toward Guendouzi with a leaping kick in a mass confrontation, an incident UEFA classified as “serious assault.” Ferreira received a three-game ban from Europa League fixtures, with two additional matches suspended.
Greenwood on probation
Mason Greenwood, another of Fenerbahce’s high-profile summer arrivals, was also caught up in the disciplinary fallout. The forward was charged with violating rules of decent conduct but avoided an immediate suspension. UEFA imposed a one-game ban, deferred for a year on probation, and fined him €30,000 ($35,000).
Both Greenwood and Guendouzi arrived in Istanbul as part of Fenerbahce’s aggressive rebuild, a push to close the gap on city rival Galatasaray, who will also feature in this season’s Champions League.
Clubs hit in the pocket
The governing body did not stop at individual sanctions. Fenerbahce were fined €50,000 ($58,000) for violations of decent conduct and another €45,000 ($52,000) for fan misconduct.
Lyon, who drop into the Europa League and open their campaign at Anderlecht next Thursday, were hit even harder. UEFA issued a total fine of €108,500 ($126,000) on a series of charges stemming from the same volatile night.
Fenerbahce have waited nearly two decades to hear the Champions League anthem again. Now they will walk out for those first two games without the fiery midfielder who helped drag them there — and helped light the fuse in Lyon.
