UEFA has suspended Fenerbahce midfielder Matteo Guendouzi for his side’s first two Champions League matches after a series of provocations and insults during last month’s chaotic play-off win away to Lyon.
The 27-year-old, who previously played for Lyon’s fierce rivals Marseille, was at the centre of the disorder before and after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 victory on 26 August, a match that also featured a mass brawl.
That result sent the Turkish club into the Champions League for the first time in 18 years. Guendouzi, who made 82 appearances for Arsenal between 2018 and 2020, will now miss Fenerbahce’s home game against Roma next Thursday as well as their away trip to Aston Villa on 14 October.
He will be eligible again for Fenerbahce’s final six fixtures in the Champions League league phase, beginning with the match against Slavia Prague on 20 October.
Disciplinary rulings published late on Friday said Guendouzi had been charged with breaching decent conduct rules, “insulting players or others present at the match” and provoking spectators.
Guendouzi was fined 50,000 euros (£43,000) after making middle-finger gestures towards the home crowd during the warm-up and again after the final whistle, shouting “Allez l’OM”, and grabbing his crotch. He later said Lyon supporters had aimed insults at his family throughout the game.
Fenerbahce forward Mason Greenwood was fined 30,000 euros (£26,000) and given a one-match suspension, deferred for a one-year probation period, after being charged with breaching rules of decent conduct.
Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira received a three-match Europa League ban, with a further two games deferred, for “serious assault” after launching a jumping kick towards Guendouzi near the tunnel.
Both Guendouzi and Greenwood joined Fenerbahce during the off-season as part of significant investment by the Istanbul side, who have recently fallen behind city rivals Galatasaray. Galatasaray will also play in the Champions League.
UEFA also punished Fenerbahce with a 50,000 euro (£43,000) fine for conduct breaches and a further 45,000 euros (£39,000) for supporter misconduct.
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