UEFA sanctions Guendouzi and Greenwood, Fenerbahçe to appeal
UEFA has imposed suspensions and fines on Turkish Fenerbahçe players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood following incidents in the second leg of the Champions League playoff against Olympique Lyon in Lyon, France. As Anadolu Agency reports, the club intends to appeal the sanctions to UEFA’s Appeals Body.
Sanctions for the players
UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body suspended French midfielder Guendouzi for four European competition matches and fined him €50,000. He was punished for insulting people during the match, provoking spectators and violating the basic rules of decent conduct.
Two matches of Guendouzi’s suspension were deferred for a one-year probationary period. Therefore, the player must immediately serve a two-match suspension. English forward Greenwood received a one-match suspension and a €30,000 fine for violating the basic rules of decent conduct. His suspension was fully deferred for a one-year probationary period and will not be applied immediately unless the sanction is activated.
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Fines for the club and the incident
Separately, UEFA fined Fenerbahçe €30,000 for lighting and throwing pyrotechnics, €15,000 for crowd disturbances and €50,000 for violating general conduct rules. The club said its legal department is reviewing the decision and the grounds for it.
Disciplinary proceedings were opened after a confrontation at the end of the second leg, in which Fenerbahçe defeated Lyon 2-1 and advanced to the Champions League league phase with a 3-2 aggregate score. Guendouzi and Greenwood, who previously played for Lyon’s fierce rival Olympique Marseille, allegedly made provocative gestures toward the home fans.
In tunnel footage, Lyon goalkeeping coach António Ferreira attempted to kick Guendouzi, after which another confrontation involving players and staff occurred. Guendouzi also gestured toward Lyon supporters and shouted “Allez l’OM.” He later said that Lyon fans had repeatedly insulted his family during the warm-up and throughout the match.
