Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi and Fenerbahce forward Mason Greenwood have both been sanctioned by UEFA for their part in a brawl that broke out after Fenerbahce's Champions League qualifier against Lyon last month.
Fenerbahce won the second leg 2-1 to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory and reach the League Phase. At full time, Guendouzi, who previously played for Lyon's arch-rivals Marseille, was at the centre of chaotic scenes as a brawl broke out, during which he appeared to be attacked by a member of Lyon's coaching staff.
Greenwood was also caught up in the trouble. He grabbed his crotch and pulled a face towards the home fans. Guendouzi did the same, grabbing his crotch while shouting "Allez l'OM", meaning "Go Marseille".
The pair later posed together in the dressing room and made gestures with their fingers.
The bans and fines
UEFA handed Guendouzi a four-match ban and fined him €50,000 (£43,000) for insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators and violating the basic rules of decent conduct. Two of the four matches were suspended for a year, meaning Guendouzi will miss Fenerbahce's opening League Phase fixtures against Roma and Aston Villa.
Greenwood, the former Manchester United forward, received a one-match ban, suspended for a year, along with a €30,000 (£26,000) fine for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.
Fenerbahce were also fined a total of €95,000 (£81,000) across three separate offences relating to the match, while Lyon were fined €108,500 (£93,000). Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira was given a five-match ban for what UEFA described as "serious assault".
Flying kick sparks mass brawl
Footage filmed from the stands showed Ferreira emerging from the tunnel and appearing to aim a flying kick at Guendouzi as he walked off the pitch. Players and staff from both sides then rushed towards the chaos, and a violent melee broke out, with punches thrown in Ferreira's direction as he was pinned against a wall. Security staff were seen holding back players and coaches from both teams.
Guendouzi's provocations during the game
Guendouzi had already been at the centre of controversy earlier in the match. The former Gunners midfielder was seen giving home fans the finger both before kick-off and during the game, in response to a chorus of boos and jeers directed at him.
Reports claimed Guendouzi shouted "we're f***ing you" towards his opponents after his side went 2-0 up. Lyon's players reacted angrily at the final whistle and shoved the Frenchman, prompting his Fenerbahce team-mates, including goalkeeper Ederson and striker Romelu Lukaku, to rush to his defence.
Reaction to the incident
Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso criticised Guendouzi afterwards. "You have to stay humble in victory, go celebrate that with your team in the locker room," he said. "Well done, congratulations to them, but there's no real need to do that."
Guendouzi defended his own conduct, insisting Lyon supporters had insulted his family throughout the evening. Fenerbahce manager Ismail Kartal offered his backing to the midfielder in the aftermath.
