Fenerbahce’s Champions League celebrations have quickly turned into a disciplinary headache.
UEFA has opened proceedings against Mason Greenwood, Matteo Guendouzi and Fenerbahce following the Turkish club’s fiery victory over Lyon in the Champions League playoff round.
Fenerbahce secured a 2-1 win away from home to complete a 3-2 aggregate victory, booking their place in the Champions League main phase for the first time since the 2008-09 season.
But the dramatic qualification was followed by ugly scenes involving Guendouzi, Greenwood and several other players.
Guendouzi, who previously played for Lyon’s fierce rivals Marseille, appeared to provoke the home supporters during the warmup and again after the final whistle.
The midfielder raised his middle finger towards Lyon fans and shouted “Allez l’OM” (“Go Marseille”), while also making an offensive gesture.
Guendouzi later claimed that Lyon supporters had insulted members of his family before and during the match.
The situation escalated after the final whistle when a person wearing Lyon colours confronted Guendouzi.
Several players subsequently became involved in a confrontation in the tunnel, turning an already heated night into a potentially costly one for Fenerbahce.
Greenwood’s involvement has also attracted UEFA’s attention, although the precise details of the disciplinary case against the former Manchester United striker have not been publicly outlined.
Fenerbahce confirmed that UEFA has launched proceedings against both players as well as the club itself.
“Following the UEFA Champions League playoff round second leg match, UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against our players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood, as well as against our club.
“Our club will present the necessary defences before the relevant UEFA bodies in order to protect the rights and interests of our players and Fenerbahce during this process.
“The necessary information, documents and defences regarding the process will be submitted to UEFA, and developments are being closely monitored by our club. We hereby inform the public.”
The timing could prove particularly important for Fenerbahce.
The Turkish giants are scheduled to begin their Champions League main-phase campaign next Thursday when they host Roma.
Their second fixture will come away against Aston Villa on October 14.
It remains unclear whether UEFA’s disciplinary judges will reach a decision quickly enough for any potential sanctions to affect those matches.
For Fenerbahce, qualification itself was a major achievement. The club eliminated Lyon 3-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League for the first time since the 2008-09 campaign, ending a long wait for a return to Europe’s elite competition.
Greenwood is also entering a new chapter after joining Fenerbahce from Marseille during the summer in a €39 million ($44.5m) transfer.
The former Manchester United forward now finds himself at the centre of another European football controversy just as his new club prepares for its return to the Champions League spotlight.
Fenerbahce will hope the UEFA investigation does not overshadow what should have been one of the biggest nights in the club’s recent history.
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