The second leg of the Champions League play-off between Lyon and Fenerbahçe was everything you would expect from such a fixture, at least over the 90 minutes. There was excitement, a fierce battle, and goals – both those that counted and those that were ruled out. When all was said and done, the equation was clear: the Turkish side defeated Lyon 2:1 in France and booked their place in the elite competition for the first time in 18 years. However, what happened immediately after the final whistle will certainly cast a shadow over Fenerbahce’s Champions League qualification. After the referee signalled the end of the match, the Fenerbahçe players and coaching staff celebrated on the pitch at the Olympique Stadium. Everything looked perfectly normal for a team celebrating qualification – but only until the visitors began making their way towards the tunnel.😮 Mattéo Guendouzi a adressé un message explicite aux supporters de l'OL durant son échauffement avec Fenerbahçe… https://t.co/QzkxEXErBf pic.twitter.com/XWx6WvG3iR— RMC Sport (@RMCsport) August 26, 2026 Fenerbahce midfielder Matteo Guendouzi stopped in front of the stands and began gesturing towards the home supporters, seemingly provoking a crowd that was already enraged by the way Lyon had gone out, having had two goals disallowed. Footage that has emerged shows Lyon coaching staff member Antonio Ferreira charging towards Guendouzi, who is a former Arsenal, but also Marseille player – more than enough to make him a hated figure among Lyon supporters. According to French newspaper L’Equipe, Guendouzi also shouted “Allez l’OM” and made the hand gesture associated with rapper Jul, one of the symbols of Marseille. That was enough to spark chaos.Chambrages ridicules de Guendouzi, grande tension, supporters du virage sud qui veulent entrer sur la pelouse, et l'international francais du Fener qui en rajoute, provoquant une emeute dans le tunnel. Fin de soirée deplorable à Décines apres l'élimination de l'OL, en C3 pic.twitter.com/weQwxyyRww— Le Progrès OL (@LeProgresOL) August 26, 2026 The confrontation then spilled into the tunnel, where the entire Fenerbahce delegation can be seen, along with goalkeeper Ederson, who attempted to restrain Lyon’s goalkeeping coach. L’Equipe reports that the French club official was surrounded by Fenerbahce supporters, while further footage shows the chaos continuing at the entrance to the tunnel. There was also footage of the former Marseille player giving Lyon fans the middle finger after the warm-up, meaning the war between Guendouzi and the supporters had begun well before the final whistle.More images of tonight's violent scenes following Fenerbahçe's progression to the Champions League at the expense of Lyon.📹 @edin9makinapic.twitter.com/QRheJIw0nZ— Get French Football News (@GFFN) August 26, 2026 It can certainly be said that Guendouzi behaved disgracefully for a player representing a club of Fenerbahce’s stature – and, indeed, for any professional athlete. It was obvious that he was deliberately provoking the home crowd even before the match had begun. It is too early to say what consequences, if any, he will face, but the former Marseille man once again demonstrated that when it comes to behavior, he seems to know only the language of the street. His explanation was after the match was:“When you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the game and no one on the referees side tells the crowd to be quiet. I know that in France, when this kind of thing happens, there comes a point where they’ll talk to the fans and stop the match.”##NAJAVA_MECA_9915626##
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