UEFA bans Fenerbahce's Guendouzi and Greenwood after Lyon brawl

UEFA bans Fenerbahce's Guendouzi and Greenwood after Lyon brawl

UEFA has handed out suspensions and fines to Fenerbahce players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood following a mass confrontation after a Champions League qualifier against Lyon in August. The sanctions follow a second-leg match at Groupama Stadium where Fenerbahce won 2-1, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the league phase of the competition.

Midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, 27, received a four-match ban and a €50,000 fine. Two of those matches are suspended for a probationary period of one year. According to UEFA, the penalties were for insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators and for violating the basic rules of decent conduct. Guendouzi will miss opening league phase fixtures against Aston Villa and Roma.

Forward Mason Greenwood, 24, was fined €30,000 and given a one-match ban, which is suspended for a probationary period of one year, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.

The sanctions stem from a volatile atmosphere sparked largely by Guendouzi, who played for Lyon's arch-rivals Marseille from 2022 to 2024. Reports indicate Guendouzi gave the middle finger to home fans both before kick-off and during the match. When his team led 2-0, he reportedly shouted we're f****ng you toward his opponents.

At full-time, the situation escalated as Guendouzi celebrated exuberantly, grabbing his crotch and shouting Allez l'OM (Go Marseille). Greenwood also grabbed his crotch and made faces toward the home supporters. Later, the pair posed together in the dressing room making finger gestures.

The provocations led to a violent brawl as Guendouzi left the field. Lyon players shoved the Frenchman, prompting Fenerbahce teammates Romelu Lukaku and Ederson to rush to his defense. Footage from the stands showed Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira emerge from the tunnel and seemingly aim a flying kick at Guendouzi.

A melee ensued with players and staff from both clubs. Ferreira was pinned against a wall while punches were thrown in his direction, requiring security staff to intervene. UEFA has sanctioned Ferreira with a five-match ban for serious assault, though two of those matches are suspended for one year.

Guendouzi defended his behavior to reporters, citing abuse from the crowd. "When you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the game, and no one on the referee’s side tells the crowd to be quiet,"Matteo Guendouzi, Fenerbahce midfielder, via BBC

He added: "If we can’t celebrate the way we want afterwards, I find that disappointing."Matteo Guendouzi, Fenerbahce midfielder, via BBC

Lyon's Corentin Tolisso criticized the conduct, stating You have to stay humble in victory, go celebrate that with your team in the locker room and suggesting there was no real need to do that. Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal expressed support for Guendouzi.

Financial penalties were also levied against both organizations for crowd behavior, including the lighting of pyrotechnics and the throwing of objects. Both clubs were fined €50,000 for violating the general and basic rules of conduct. In total, Fenerbahce was fined €95,000 across three offenses, while Lyon was hit with fines totaling €108,500.