Mattéo Guendouzi Faces Two-Match Champions League Ban

Mattéo Guendouzi has been hit with a two‑match Champions League ban after his explosive return to France with Fenerbahce boiled over into chaos in Lyon.

The UEFA verdict, delivered late Friday from Nyon, rules the midfielder out of Fenerbahce’s opening two group games: the home clash with Roma next Thursday and the trip to Aston Villa on October 14.

Guendouzi at the center of the storm

The playoff in Lyon on August 26 was already loaded. Guendouzi, a former Marseille player and long-time symbol of the bad blood between the clubs, walked into the home of his old rivals and left with a 2-1 win that sent Fenerbahce into the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.

He also left with a disciplinary file bulging.

UEFA cited him for violating rules of decent conduct, insulting players or others present at the match, and provoking spectators. The 27-year-old was fined 50,000 euros ($58,000).

The incidents stretched from warmup to full-time and beyond. Guendouzi raised his middle fingers to Lyon fans before the game and repeated the gesture after the final whistle. He shouted “Allez l’OM” (“Go Marseille”) and grabbed his crotch in wild post-match scenes, leaning into the rivalry as tempers flared. He later said Lyon supporters had insulted his family before and during the match.

The tension finally snapped in a mass brawl near the tunnel after the game.

Greenwood on probation, Lyon coach hit hard

Mason Greenwood, another of Fenerbahce’s high-profile summer arrivals, also appeared in UEFA’s disciplinary notes. The forward received a one-game ban, but it has been deferred for one year and will only be activated if he commits another offense in that period. He was fined 30,000 euros ($35,000) for a violation of decent conduct.

The most severe touchline sanction fell on Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira. UEFA described his actions as “serious assault” after he launched a leaping kick at Guendouzi in the post-game confrontation by the players’ tunnel. Ferreira was banned for three Europa League matches, with a further two games suspended.

Heavy fines for both clubs

The fallout did not stop with individuals. UEFA also punished the clubs.

Fenerbahce were fined 50,000 euros ($58,000) for violating rules of decent conduct and another 45,000 euros ($52,000) for fan misconduct, underlining the governing body’s view of the night’s overall disorder.

Lyon’s bill was even steeper. The French club must pay 108,500 euros ($126,000) on a series of charges as they prepare to begin their Europa League campaign at Anderlecht next Thursday.

For Fenerbahce, whose summer spending was designed to close the gap on domestic rival Galatasaray and re-establish themselves among Europe’s elite, the price of that long-awaited Champions League return is already mounting — and it will begin without one of their most combustible new faces on the pitch.