Guendouzi faces UEFA after provocations during OL-Fenerbahçe clash

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Mattéo Guendouzi after the disturbances that marked the end of the Ligue des Champions playoff second leg between OL and Fenerbahçe on Wednesday evening at Groupama Stadium. Lyon, beaten 2-1 at home after a 1-1 draw in Turkey in the first leg, has been eliminated from the competition.

From the warm-up onwards, Fenerbahçe’s French midfielder — a former Olympique de Marseille player — made obscene gestures at Lyon supporters who were insulting him. At the final whistle, he escalated the provocation by mimicking signs associated with Marseille rapper JUL in front of the Rhône stands. Tension quickly escalated on the way to the dressing rooms, where an OL staff member physically assaulted the player.

The European body has decided to examine all incidents that occurred during the match. Under Article 15 of UEFA’s disciplinary code, relating to “improper conduct of players and officials”, Guendouzi is liable to be sanctioned for “insulting a person present at the match”, “unsporting behaviour” and “provocation of spectators”. The applicable sanctions provide for a suspension ranging from one to three matches depending on the degree of severity found.

OL’s goalkeeper coach, Antonio Ferreira, is also under scrutiny from the disciplinary commission for throwing himself at Guendouzi. If found guilty of “assault”, he faces a suspension of three to five matches.