UEFA has issued a two-match Champions League suspension to Fenerbahce midfielder Matteo Guendouzi following his conduct during a turbulent play-off victory at Lyon last month. The 27-year-old will miss his side's upcoming home fixture against Roma and the away trip to Aston Villa as a result of the disciplinary ruling.
The punishment stems from events surrounding Fenerbahce's 2-1 win at Lyon on 26 August, a match marked by a mass brawl and heightened tensions both before and after the final whistle. The result proved historic for the Turkish club, sending them into the Champions League group stage for the first time in 18 years.
Guendouzi, who spent time at Lyon's fierce rivals Marseille earlier in his career, was reportedly at the heart of the disorder. According to UEFA's disciplinary findings, he breached rules on decent conduct by insulting players and other individuals present at the match, as well as provoking home supporters. Specific actions cited included making middle-finger gestures toward Lyon fans during the warm-up and after the final whistle, shouting "Allez l'OM" — a reference to Marseille — and making a crotch-grabbing gesture. As a result, he was fined 50,000 euros (£43,000) in addition to the two-match ban.
Guendouzi has since defended his behavior, claiming that Lyon supporters had been hurling insults at his family for the duration of the contest.
The Frenchman, who made 82 appearances for Arsenal between 2018 and 2020 before moving on to other clubs, will serve his suspension for Fenerbahce's opening two Champions League group games. He remains free to feature in the club's final six matches, beginning with a clash against Slavia Prague on 20 October.
Guendouzi was not the only Fenerbahce player sanctioned. Teammate Mason Greenwood, who joined the club alongside Guendouzi during the off-season transfer window, was fined 30,000 euros (£26,000) for a similar breach of decent conduct rules. However, Greenwood's accompanying one-match ban was deferred, subject to a one-year probation period.
The fallout from the Lyon fixture also extended to the home club's staff. Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira received a three-match Europa League suspension — with two further games deferred — after being found guilty of "serious assault" for aiming a kick at Guendouzi near the tunnel area.
Beyond the individual sanctions, both clubs were hit with financial penalties. Fenerbahce was fined 50,000 euros (£43,000) for conduct violations and an additional 45,000 euros (£39,000) related to the behavior of its supporters. Lyon received a considerably larger fine of 108,500 euros (£93,000) covering multiple charges connected to the match.
The incident comes amid a period of significant investment at Fenerbahce, with the Istanbul side bringing in high-profile signings such as Guendouzi and Greenwood as they look to close the gap on domestic rivals Galatasaray, who have also qualified for this season's Champions League.
Lyon, meanwhile, will begin their Europa League campaign away at Anderlecht next Thursday, looking to move past the controversy of the play-off defeat as both clubs turn their attention to their respective European campaigns.
Based on reporting from The Independent.