Guendouzi and Greenwood face UEFA disciplinary proceedings after Lyon incidents

UEFA has officially launched disciplinary proceedings against Mattéo Guendouzi, Mason Greenwood and Fenerbahçe, following the incidents that broke out at Groupama Stadium during the second leg of the Ligue des Champions play-offs. Turkey’s qualification, secured on Olympique Lyonnais’ pitch (1-2), was immediately overshadowed by fierce controversy.

Guendouzi was at the centre of the storm throughout the evening. During the warm-up, the French midfielder made obscene gestures towards the stands. At the final whistle, the situation spiralled: the former Marseille player multiplied provocations, making the Jul sign and chanting “Allez l’OM” in front of the cameras, triggering a mass brawl at the entrance to the tunnel leading to the dressing rooms, involving players and members of both technical staffs.

Questioned after the match, Guendouzi justified his behaviour by the insults he received from the stands. “You know, when you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the match, and nobody in the refereeing team tells the stadium to be quiet…”, he said. He also downplayed the Jul sign: “There’s nothing mean about it. I’ve seen matches where Lyon fans make celebrations in front of the Vélodrome end. It has to work both ways.”

Fenerbahçe confirmed the opening of proceedings in an official statement, specifying that the club “will present the necessary arguments before the competent UEFA bodies to protect the rights and interests of our players and Fenerbahçe during this procedure”. The Istanbul club says it is following “closely the evolution of the situation”.

It remains to be seen whether the player’s explanations and the club’s legal arguments will be sufficient to mitigate any potential sanctions from the European body.