UEFA Disciplinary Proceedings Against Greenwood and Guendouzi After Fenerbahce's Chaos
UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Mason Greenwood and Matteo Guendouzi after Fenerbahce’s stormy Champions League play-off victory over Lyon in France.
The second leg at the Groupama Stadium, which Fenerbahce edged 2-1 at the end of August, ended in chaos once the final whistle went. What should have been a night of celebration for the Turkish side spilled into confrontation on the pitch and in the tunnel.
Chaos after the whistle
Greenwood is being investigated for his involvement in the post‑match clashes, while Guendouzi is accused of provoking sections of the Lyon crowd as he left the field. The tension, simmering all evening, finally snapped.
As tempers flared, players and staff from both teams became embroiled in a melee that carried on down the tunnel. TV footage showed a figure in what looked like a Lyon tracksuit charging in and attempting a flying kick at Guendouzi, who had already been the target of abuse from the stands.
Greenwood, the former Manchester United forward, found himself in the middle of the mayhem as several Lyon supporters tried to force their way towards the pitch during Fenerbahce’s celebrations. Stewards and officials struggled to contain the surge as emotions boiled over.
Fenerbahce later confirmed that UEFA had formally moved to act.
Fenerbahce respond to UEFA action
In a statement, the club said UEFA had launched a disciplinary process concerning Guendouzi, Greenwood and Fenerbahce itself following the play-off second leg.
“Following the UEFA Champions League Play-Off Round second-leg match, a disciplinary process has been initiated by UEFA concerning our players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood, as well as our Club.
“Our Club will present the necessary defences before the relevant UEFA committees to protect the rights and interests of both our players and Fenerbahce. All required information, documents, and defences will be submitted to UEFA, and developments are being closely monitored by our Club. We present this to the public for information.”
The Istanbul side now prepares its case as European football’s governing body assesses the flashpoints that marred the night.
Guendouzi hits back at abuse
Guendouzi, speaking after the game, made clear how deeply the Lyon crowd’s behaviour had affected him.
“You know, when you've got 60,000 people insulting your family, your mum, your children – even before the match – and nobody from the refereeing team tells the stadium to be quiet,” he said.
“Because I know that in France, when this sort of thing happens, there comes a point where they'll speak to the supporters and the match might be stopped. For 90 minutes – even longer if you count the warm-up – they were insulting my family.
“That really gets to you. If you want to banter, then it goes both ways. They insulted my mum and my family; to me, that was disrespectful.”
Head coach Ismail Kartal stood firmly behind his midfielder.
“As a team we all stood together to support Guendouzi. Support was provided. That is what teamwork is all about.”
Greenwood’s new stage – and a possible reunion
Amid the fallout, the footballing significance of the night risks being lost. Greenwood helped Fenerbahce reach the Champions League main draw for the first time since 2009, a major milestone for the club.
They now step into a demanding league phase, drawn against AS Roma, Aston Villa, Slavia Praha, Liverpool, Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid.
With Manchester United also back in the competition, the possibility lingers of Greenwood facing his former club later in the season, but only if both sides navigate the new league format successfully.
For now, the forward, who joined Fenerbahce from Marseille on a four-year deal in July, waits for UEFA’s verdict — with his European comeback already overshadowed by one of the most volatile nights of this year’s qualifiers.
