Guendouzi Banned Two Champions League Matches for Taunting Lyon Fans

A match that already had plenty of intrigue (Guendouzi returning to Lyon, the rival city of his former club Marseille) ended in a brawl. Literally. And now the UEFA bill has arrived.

European soccer's governing body handed Mattéo Guendouzi a two-match Champions League suspension for his provocations and insults during the playoff round that Fenerbahce won 2-1 in Lyon on August 26. That result sent the Turkish club into the Champions League group stage for the first time in 18 years, so the celebration was massive. The problem was how it played out.

Guendouzi, who spent several seasons at Marseille (Lyon's fiercest soccer rival), spent the night stirring the pot before, during and after the match. He flashed middle fingers at the home fans during the warmup and again at the final whistle, shouted "Allez l'OM" (let's go, Marseille) and even grabbed his crotch in the middle of the celebration. All of that, combined with a massive scuffle near the tunnel, lit the fuse. He later claimed Lyon fans had insulted his family before and during the match, though that account did not change UEFA's ruling.

The punishment is specific: Guendouzi will miss Fenerbahce's first two group stage matches, the home game against Roma next Thursday and the trip to Aston Villa on October 14. He must also pay a fine of 50,000 euros (about $58,000) for violating rules on decent conduct, insulting players or other individuals present at the match and provoking spectators.

Mason Greenwood, Guendouzi's Fenerbahce teammate, was also flagged. He received a one-match ban, suspended for a one-year probationary period, for his role in the incidents. He still had to pay 30,000 euros (about $35,000) for a similar conduct violation.

On Lyon's side, goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira was also punished: a three-match ban in the Europa League, with two more suspended, for what UEFA described as "serious assault." Ferreira had kicked out at Guendouzi's body during the post-final-whistle confrontation near the tunnel.

The fines were not limited to individuals. Fenerbahce must pay 50,000 euros ($58,000) for violating decent conduct rules and another 45,000 euros ($52,000) for the behavior of its fans. Lyon, for its part, received an even larger sanction: 108,500 euros (roughly $126,000) spread across several charges.

Guendouzi and Greenwood joined Fenerbahce in the last transfer window as part of a heavy investment by the Istanbul club, which has trailed its crosstown rival Galatasaray, also in this season's Champions League, in recent years. Lyon, meanwhile, will begin its Europa League campaign (the continent's second-tier competition) with a trip to Anderlecht next Thursday.