Fenerbahçe midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been handed a four-match European ban and fined €50,000 (£43,000) by UEFA for his role in the post-match confrontation that followed his side’s Champions League play-off victory over Lyon.
Two matches of Guendouzi’s suspension have been deferred for a one-year probationary period, meaning he will serve an immediate two-match ban in UEFA club competitions.
His Fenerbahçe team-mate Mason Greenwood has also been sanctioned, receiving a one-match suspended ban and a €30,000 (£26,000) fine for breaching UEFA’s basic rules of decent conduct.
The disciplinary action follows the second leg of Fenerbahçe’s Champions League play-off against Lyon on August 26, when the Turkish side won 2-1 to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
Tensions escalated after the final whistle as Guendouzi, a former Marseille player, appeared to taunt Lyon supporters and was seen shouting “Allez l’OM” – a reference to Marseille, one of Lyon’s major rivals.
A confrontation involving players and staff followed on the pitch before further clashes broke out in the tunnel.
UEFA found Guendouzi guilty of insulting people present at the match, provoking spectators and violating basic rules of decent conduct.
Greenwood, who joined Fenerbahçe from Marseille during the summer, was punished for violating the basic rules of decent conduct.
Guendouzi had defended his conduct after the match, saying Lyon supporters had repeatedly insulted his family during the game.
He said he felt “disrespected” by the treatment and questioned why action had not been taken against supporters who he claimed had targeted his mother and children.
Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira received the most severe individual punishment, with UEFA imposing a five-match ban, two of which are suspended, for what it described as “serious assault” during the clashes.
Both Fenerbahçe and Lyon have also been sanctioned over incidents surrounding the match, including crowd disturbances and other breaches of UEFA regulations.
Fenerbahçe had initially said it would defend Guendouzi and Greenwood after UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings. The club has now indicated it intends to appeal the sanctions.
The Turkish club will begin its Champions League league-phase campaign against Roma, with Guendouzi unavailable because of his immediate suspension.