Fenerbahce’s Matteo Guendouzi, right, vies for the ball with Galatasaray’s Lucas Torreira during a Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, April 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)
NYON, Switzerland (AP) — Mattéo Guendouzi was banned by UEFA from Fenerbahce’s first two Champions League games for provocations and insults in a heated playoff win at Lyon in his native France.
Guendouzi, a former player at Lyon’s great rival Marseille, was at the heart of incidents before and after Fenerbahce’s 2-1 win on Aug. 26 including a mass brawl. The result sent the Turkish club into the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.
The 27-year-old Guendouzi will miss Fenerbahce hosting Roma next Thursday and a visit to Aston Villa on Oct. 14.
Fenerbahce forward Mason Greenwood had a one-game ban deferred for one year of probation for his involvement, UEFA said in disciplinary verdicts announced late Friday.
