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Lyon vs Fenerbahce: Matteo Guendouzi’s taunt sparks ugly scenes, Marseille reference and middle-finger gesture trigger chaos.

Tempers flared in the closing moments of Lyon-Fenerbahce, the second leg of the Champions League play-off that sent the Turkish side through to the League Phase. The French hosts were left enraged and, after the final whistle, directed much of their frustration at yellow-and-blue midfielder and former Lazio player Matteo Guendouzi. The Frenchman, a former Marseille player and an idol for OM supporters, mocked his opponents and set off a mass confrontation at full-time.

Tension had already reached boiling point late in Lyon-Fener. As the Turkish team celebrated qualification for the next round, Guendouzi attempted to wind up his rivals by making, among other gestures, the Jul sign, a reference to the Marseille rapper. That act drew an immediate reaction from Lyon fans and players, who tried to confront him themselves. A scuffle then erupted on the pitch before coaching staff stepped in to separate those involved. Cameras also caught the former Lazio midfielder shouting, “Allez l’OM”, which means “Come on Marseille”.

The situation then got even worse in the tunnel. As both teams left the pitch and headed towards the dressing rooms, players from the two clubs clashed again in the passageway. Videos quickly spread online, showing the overall tension and what looked like a full-scale pursuit. In the confined space, a melee involving more than 20 players and staff members broke out, with punches, slaps and frantic chases. Along with Guendouzi, former Juventus player Openda was among the most fired up and, in one clip, he can be seen checking a facial injury apparently caused moments earlier by an opposing player.

The trouble had in fact begun even before kick-off. Booed from the warm-up onwards and throughout the match at Groupama Stadium, Guendouzi repeatedly turned towards the OL supporters’ section and showed them the middle finger. That gesture could even lead to a suspension for the former Lazio man, while sanctions may also follow for several of the figures involved in this wild brawl.