Mason Greenwood and Matteo Guendouzi banned following Champions League brawl
Mason Greenwood and former Arsenal star Matteo Guendouzi have both received bans from European football after a fierce brawl in their Champions League qualification match between Fenerbahce and Lyon, reports BritPanorama.
Greenwood, who joined the Turkish club from Marseille during the summer, received a one-game ban for “violating the basic rules of decent conduct.” His suspension comes with a one-year probationary period, meaning it will only be enacted if he commits a further offence during that time.
Greenwood was among several individuals punished by UEFA following a brawl that erupted at full-time after Fenerbahce secured their place in the league stage.
Guendouzi faced a considerably stiffer punishment, receiving a four-match European suspension, two of which are suspended, alongside a €50,000 (£43,000) fine. He was penalised for “insulting others present at the match, provoking spectators, and violating the basic rules of decent conduct.” The former Arsenal midfielder was subjected to persistent jeering from Lyon supporters throughout the match, given the deep animosity between the two French clubs.
After the final whistle, Guendouzi appeared to goad sections of the home fans, prompting teammates to intervene as tensions escalated. He was also seen on camera shouting “Allez l’OM” – a reference to his former club – towards pitchside broadcasters.
The brawl extended beyond the pitch, with Lyon’s goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira receiving a five-match ban, two of those suspended, after being found guilty of “serious assault” during the post-match clashes. Footage shared on social media depicted a confrontation involving Guendouzi as he headed for the tunnel, with security personnel and staff from both teams quickly embroiled.
Both Fenerbahce and Lyon were fined €50,000 (£43,000) after their respective squads were deemed to have violated general standards of conduct. Guendouzi expressed his disappointment regarding the match atmosphere, stating he had been “disrespected” by the home supporters and questioned the lack of intervention from match officials.
“When you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the game and no one on the referee’s side tells the crowd to be quiet,” he remarked. He added that he found it frustrating that officials did not address the behaviour from the stands, noting that in France, there is often an effort to intervene when such incidents occur.
This incident may serve as a reminder of the volatile intersections between football and behavior standards, raising questions about crowd conduct and the responsibilities of governing bodies in ensuring a respectful environment. Such moments of chaos underline how passion in the beautiful game can sometimes overshadow sporting integrity.
