Provocative Frenchman punished with a suspension

Matteo Guendouzi will watch Fenerbahce’s first two Champions League league-phase matches from the sidelines after UEFA punished his conduct during a fiery playoff against Lyon.

The French midfielder provoked Lyon supporters during the decisive match in late August, when Fenerbahce defeated the French club and secured its place in the Champions League. Guendouzi had previously played for Marseille, making the Lyon fans rivals from his time in French football.

The incident helped ignite clashes involving players and staff members. UEFA gave Guendouzi two actual suspension days and two more on a suspended basis. His teammate Mason Greenwood, who also has a past with Marseille, received a one-match suspended ban for breaching conduct rules. Both players were fined.

Lyon and Fenerbahce were also fined after disturbances in the stands that included pyrotechnics and fans throwing objects onto the field. Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira received five suspension days, two of them suspended, for a serious assault. ESPN reported that Ferreira launched a flying kick at Guendouzi.

The former Arsenal player was also reported to have raised a middle finger toward Lyon fans during the warm-up, grabbed his crotch and shouted “Come on Marseille” after the final whistle. Guendouzi later said Lyon supporters had harassed his family before and during the match.

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Come on Marseille