Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood have been sanctioned by UEFA following a post-match incident after Fenerbahce's 2-1 Champions League victory over Lyon. Guendouzi received a four-match European ban, with two games suspended, and was fined 50,000 euros for "insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators and for violating the basic rules of decent conduct." The 27-year-old former Arsenal and Marseille midfielder celebrated Fenerbahce's qualification by confronting Lyon fans, whom he accused of directing family-related insults at him before and during the match. He will serve the first two match bans during Fenerbahce's upcoming league phase fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa.
Greenwood, who joined Fenerbahce from Marseille this summer, was fined 30,000 euros and given a one-match suspended ban, also subject to a one-year probationary period, for "violating the basic rules of decent conduct." UEFA additionally fined both Fenerbahce and Lyon 50,000 euros each due to their teams' conduct breaches. Guendouzi defended his actions, stating that crowd behaviour went unchecked by officials and that celebrations should not be restricted when players face personal abuse. He compared the lack of intervention to protocols in France, where matches can be halted over fan misconduct.
Guendouzi's four-match sanction includes only two actual games, meaning his on-field absence is limited despite the severity of the charges. This allows Fenerbahce to retain a key player through most of their early Champions League campaign despite his conduct being deemed a serious breach.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
