Lyon Sanctions Ferreira After Incident With Guendouzi; UEFA Could Go Further

Olympique Lyonnais has internally sanctioned Antonio Ferreira, its goalkeeper coach, following the altercation that erupted at the final whistle of the 2-1 defeat against Fenerbahçe at Groupama Stadium on Wednesday evening, during the return leg of the Ligue des Champions playoff.

The Portuguese coach had attempted to lunge at Matteo Guendouzi, who was repeatedly taunting the Lyon crowd after the Turkish club’s qualification. According to L’Équipe, Ferreira was not listed on the team sheet on Saturday during the trip to Le Havre (1-1), counting toward the second day of Ligue 1. His assistant Rui Faria, who arrived this summer to strengthen the goalkeeping staff, led the warm-up and appeared on the team sheet in his place.

This internal suspension could, however, be only a first step. UEFA is examining the facts and could apply the clause relating to “assault” on a person present during the match, which would expose Ferreira to a three-match ban. If the facts were reclassified as “serious assault,” the sanction could rise to five matches.

Pending the decision of the European body, expected soon, Antonio Ferreira retains his position at Lyon, but his future on the continental stage remains suspended on UEFA’s verdict.