Fenerbahçe SK midfielder Matteo Guendouzi has been suspended for two Champions League matches by UEFA's disciplinary body. The ban stems from incidents during and after the playoff win at Lyon on August 26th.
UEFA announced the verdicts late Friday, also handing forward Mason Greenwood a one-match ban deferred for a year of probation. The club was fined a total of €95,000 for violating rules of decent conduct and fan misconduct. This story was first reported by www.oskaloosa.com.
Fenerbahçe currently sits 9th in the Süper Lig standings after four matches. They have 6 points, having scored 8 goals and conceded 6 for a +2 goal difference. They trail leaders Galatasaray by 4 points. The team's next fixture is an away match against Başakşehir on December 6, 2026. You can check the current standings on our page.
Which matches will Guendouzi miss?
Matteo Guendouzi will be unavailable for Fenerbahçe's first two Champions League group stage matches. The 27-year-old player will miss the home game against Roma next Thursday. His second banned match will be the away fixture at Aston Villa on October 14.
This decision represents a significant loss for the team. Guendouzi was a major investment joining from Olympique Marseille in the offseason. His absence will force the technical staff to find alternatives in midfield. The current squad list provides options for this position.
What happened during the Lyon match?
UEFA stated that "the charges against Guendouzi were violating rules of decent conduct, 'insulting players or others present at the match' and provoking spectators." According to the report, the French player raised his middle fingers to Lyon fans during the warmup and after the game. He also shouted 'Allez l’OM' ('Go Marseille') and grabbed his crotch in wild post-match scenes.
Guendouzi said Lyon fans insulted his family before and during the game. Lyon's goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira received a three-game Europa League ban for 'serious assault' after aiming a leaping kick at Guendouzi.
What were the other bans and fines?
Mason Greenwood had a one-match ban deferred for one year of probation. The English forward was also fined €30,000. Fenerbahçe SK was fined €50,000 for violating rules of decent conduct and €45,000 for fan misconduct.
Lyon was fined a total of €108,500 on a series of charges. The French side will begin their Europa League campaign at Anderlecht next Thursday.
How do these sanctions affect Fenerbahçe's season plans?
Guendouzi's suspension will limit Fenerbahçe's squad options for two critical matches in their first Champions League campaign in 18 years. The club has fallen behind city rival Galatasaray in recent years, and both Istanbul clubs will compete in Europe's top competition this season.
Fenerbahçe made a big investment by adding Guendouzi and Greenwood to their squad last summer. These players being unavailable in European competitions could directly impact the team's performance. With a recent Süper Lig form of LWWL (Win, Win, Loss, Loss), the Yellow Canaries also face a tough Champions League group. You can view the full match schedule on our fixtures page.
Fenerbahçe SK will play an away Süper Lig match against 12th-placed Başakşehir on December 6, 2026.
