Guendouzi handed two-game Champions League ban for provoking Lyon fans after Fenerbahce's play-off win

UEFA has banned Matteo Guendouzi for two Champions League matches and fined him €50,000 (£43,000) after the Fenerbahce midfielder provoked Lyon supporters during a chaotic play-off second leg on 26 August that ended in a mass brawl. The 27-year-old, who spent two years at Arsenal between 2018 and 2020, will miss Fenerbahce’s home fixture against Roma and their trip to Aston Villa on 14 October.

Guendouzi, a former Marseille player facing his old club’s fiercest rivals, made middle-finger gestures to home fans during the warm-up and again after the final whistle, shouted “Allez l’OM”, and grabbed his crotch. UEFA found him guilty of violating decent conduct rules, insulting players and others present, and provoking spectators. Guendouzi later claimed Lyon supporters had directed insults at his family throughout the match.

Fenerbahce’s 2-1 aggregate victory secured the Istanbul club a place in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Guendouzi will be available again from the club’s third group-phase fixture against Slavia Prague on 20 October, with five further league-phase games to follow.

Fellow summer signing Mason Greenwood also faced UEFA sanctions, receiving a €30,000 (£26,000) fine and a one-match ban suspended for one year on probation for a separate breach of decent conduct rules. Both players joined Fenerbahce during the off-season as part of a significant investment drive by the Istanbul club, who have fallen behind city rivals Galatasaray — who will also compete in this season’s Champions League.

The disciplinary fallout extended beyond Fenerbahce’s squad. Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira was handed a three-match Europa League ban, with two additional games deferred, after aiming a leaping kick at Guendouzi near the tunnel. Fenerbahce were separately fined €50,000 (£43,000) for general conduct breaches and a further €45,000 (£39,000) for fan misconduct.

Lyon, who begin their Europa League campaign at Anderlecht, were hit with the heaviest financial penalty of the night — a €108,500 (£93,000) fine across multiple charges stemming from the same fixture.