Guendouzi and Greenwood Charged by UEFA After Lyon Fan Incident

Fenerbahce players Mattéo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood have been charged by UEFA following alleged provocations directed at Lyon supporters during their Champions League qualifying playoff, the Turkish club said Thursday.

The two players were involved in tense scenes during and after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 victory over Lyon in the second leg last week. The result secured Fenerbahce’s place in the Champions League main phase for the first time in 18 years.

Guendouzi and Greenwood both previously played for Marseille, one of Lyon’s major French rivals. Their history with Marseille added to the tension during the match.

Guendouzi was seen making an offensive gesture toward Lyon supporters during the warmup and again after the final whistle. He also appeared to grab his crotch during the post-match celebrations while shouting “Allez l’OM,” meaning “Go Marseille.”

The French midfielder later said Lyon fans had directed insults toward his family before and during the match.

Fenerbahce confirmed that UEFA had opened disciplinary proceedings involving both players but did not disclose the specific charges. The club said it would protect the rights and interests of Guendouzi, Greenwood and Fenerbahce throughout the process.

It remains uncertain whether UEFA’s disciplinary judges will issue decisions before Fenerbahce begin their Champions League campaign. The Istanbul club is scheduled to host Roma next Thursday in its opening match of the competition’s main phase.

Fenerbahce’s second Champions League match will come against Aston Villa on October 14.

The disciplinary case comes as Fenerbahce continues to invest heavily in an effort to challenge Galatasaray’s dominance of Turkish football. The club has not won the Turkish league title since 2014 and has strengthened its squad with several high-profile international players.

Guendouzi and Greenwood both joined Fenerbahce during the offseason as part of the club’s latest spending drive. Fenerbahce also brought in Romelu Lukaku and Netherlands international Nathan Aké after their appearances at the World Cup.

The club signed N’Golo Kanté in February, adding another experienced international to its squad.

The victory over Lyon ended a long wait for Fenerbahce, which had not reached the main phase of the Champions League for 18 years. The club will now face a demanding schedule against established European opponents while also competing domestically.

For Guendouzi and Greenwood, however, the celebrations surrounding qualification have been overshadowed by the UEFA disciplinary proceedings. The timing and severity of any potential sanctions will depend on UEFA’s review of the incidents and the specific charges brought against the players.