UEFA has punished Mason Greenwood, Matteo Guendouzi and Fenerbahce following the incidents against Lyon, but the Turkish club has already confirmed plans to appeal.
UEFA punishes Greenwood and Guendouzi after Lyon chaos
UEFA has handed sanctions to Mason Greenwood, Matteo Guendouzi and Fenerbahce following the heated incidents that erupted after their Champions League playoff clash with Lyon.
The disciplinary decisions include fines, suspensions and additional club penalties.
However, Fenerbahce have already confirmed that they intend to appeal the sanctions.
Greenwood fined and given suspended ban
Mason Greenwood has been fined €30,000 by UEFA over his conduct following Fenerbahce’s victory against Lyon.
The former Manchester United forward has also received a one-match suspension in UEFA club competition.
Crucially, that one-match ban has been suspended for a probationary period of one year.
That means Greenwood is currently eligible to play and does not have to miss Fenerbahce’s next European match.
What does Greenwood’s suspended ban mean?
Although Greenwood has technically been handed a one-match suspension, the punishment will not take immediate effect.
If he avoids a similar offence during the one-year probation period, he may never have to serve the ban.
However, another disciplinary violation could activate the suspended match in addition to any new punishment imposed by UEFA.
This distinction is important because some reports have simply described Greenwood as being “banned for one match.”
Guendouzi receives much heavier punishment
Matteo Guendouzi has been punished far more severely than Greenwood.
The French midfielder has been fined €50,000 and suspended for four UEFA club matches.
Two of those four matches must be served immediately, while the other two are suspended for one year.
Unless Fenerbahce’s appeal changes the decision, Guendouzi will therefore miss the club’s next two European fixtures.
Why was Guendouzi punished?
UEFA sanctioned Guendouzi for several disciplinary offences linked to his behaviour following the match.
These included insulting people present at the game, provoking supporters and violating basic rules of decent conduct.
Guendouzi was also seen directing “Allez l’OM” towards the Lyon supporters after the final whistle.
The phrase referenced Marseille, Lyon’s major domestic rival and a club both Guendouzi and Greenwood previously represented.
Guendouzi explains his reaction
Guendouzi later defended his emotional reaction by claiming Lyon supporters had insulted members of his family.
He said the abuse continued during the warm-up and throughout the match.
The midfielder suggested that the repeated insults contributed to his reaction after Fenerbahce secured qualification.
That explanation did not prevent UEFA from issuing the four-match sanction.
What happened after Lyon vs Fenerbahce?
Fenerbahce defeated Lyon 2-1 in France and progressed with a 3-2 aggregate victory.
Celebrations quickly turned confrontational after the final whistle.
Players and members of staff from both teams became involved in a heated confrontation as tensions rose around the pitch.
The incidents were later reviewed by UEFA’s disciplinary authorities.
Fenerbahce also hit with major fines
The Turkish club itself has also been punished for several incidents linked to the match.
Fenerbahce received fines relating to fireworks, crowd disturbances and general conduct.
The club was fined €30,000 for lighting and throwing fireworks, €15,000 for crowd disturbances and €50,000 for breaches of general principles of conduct.
The combined disciplinary action significantly increases the financial and sporting consequences of the night in Lyon.
Lyon staff member receives five-match suspension
Fenerbahce were not the only side punished.
Lyon goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira received a five-match UEFA suspension for serious assault.
Three of those matches must be served immediately, while two have been suspended for a one-year probation period.
Lyon also received additional sanctions linked to supporter behaviour and incidents surrounding the match.
Fenerbahce confirm UEFA appeal
The biggest development following UEFA’s announcement is Fenerbahce’s decision to challenge the sanctions.
The club confirmed that its legal department is reviewing the disciplinary decisions and their legal basis.
Fenerbahce have announced that the necessary appeal procedures will be launched before UEFA’s Appeals Body.
That means the current punishments may not represent the final outcome of the case.
Could Guendouzi’s suspension be reduced?
Fenerbahce’s appeal could focus heavily on Guendouzi’s two immediate match suspensions.
The Turkish side may attempt to reduce the effective ban or challenge some of the financial penalties imposed by UEFA.
Until an appeal decision is announced, however, Guendouzi remains set to miss two European matches.
Greenwood remains available because his entire one-match suspension is currently suspended.
Greenwood avoids immediate sporting punishment
Despite being one of the headline names involved in the case, Greenwood’s immediate sporting situation is relatively unaffected.
He has been fined, but he remains available for selection in Europe.
Guendouzi is therefore the Fenerbahce player facing the most serious immediate sporting consequences.
The outcome of the club’s appeal will now determine whether those sanctions remain unchanged.
UEFA case far from over
The fallout from the Lyon clash is continuing long after Fenerbahce secured qualification on the pitch.
Greenwood has received a suspended ban, Guendouzi faces two immediate matches out, and both clubs have been punished over the wider confrontation.
With Fenerbahce now formally preparing an appeal, the final chapter of the UEFA disciplinary case has yet to be written.
