Ex-Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi hit with Champions League ban after provoking rival fans
Uefa has banned Fenerbahce midfielder Matteo Guendouzi for his team’s opening two Champions League fixtures following a series of provocations and insults during a chaotic play-off victory away at Lyon last month.
The 27-year-old, previously a player for Lyon’s major rivals Marseille, found himself at the centre of unrest before and after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win on 26 August, which included a mass brawl.
The victory secured the Turkish side a place in the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Guendouzi, who previously made 82 appearances for Arsenal between 2018 and 2020, is set to sit out Fenerbahce’s home encounter against Roma next Thursday alongside their trip to Aston Villa on 14 October.
He will be available for Fenerbahce’s final six games in the league phase of the Champions League, starting with his side’s match against Slavia Prague on 20 October.
Disciplinary verdicts released late on Friday detailed charges against Guendouzi for violating decent conduct rules, “insulting players or others present at the match” and provoking spectators.
He was fined 50,000 euros (£43,000) after making middle-finger gestures to home fans in the warm-up and after the final whistle, shouting “Allez l’OM”, and grabbing his crotch. Guendouzi later claimed that Lyon supporters had directed insults at his family throughout the game.
Fenerbahce forward Mason Greenwood received a 30,000 euro (£26,000) fine and a one-game suspension deferred for a one-year probation period following a charge of violating rules of decent conduct.
Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira was handed a three-match Europa League ban, with two additional games deferred, for “serious assault” after aiming a leaping kick towards Guendouzi near the tunnel.
Guendouzi and Greenwood both signed for Fenerbahce during the off-season as part of major investment by the Istanbul club, who have recently fallen behind city rivals Galatasaray. Galatasaray will also feature in the Champions League.
Uefa further penalised Fenerbahce with a 50,000 euro (£43,000) fine for conduct breaches and 45,000 euros (£39,000) for fan misconduct.
Lyon were fined 108,500 euros (£93,000) on multiple charges ahead of starting their Europa League fixtures at Anderlecht next Thursday.
