Matteo Guendouzi doubles down on OL provocations

Matteo Guendouzi has renewed his defence of the gestures and words that provoked Lyon supporters, arguing that his response followed abuse directed at his family. The Fenerbahçe midfielder said he believed he remained within the bounds of respect and rejected the idea that celebrating was improper.

His comments came after Fenerbahçe beat OL 2-1 in a tense ending. Guendouzi, who previously played for Marseille, said the rivalry with Lyon shaped the reception he received at Groupama Stadium. He said supporters targeted him before and during the match, including during the warm-up, with chants about his mother, family and children.

Guendouzi estimated that between 50,000 and 55,000 people were involved in those chants. He contrasted the scene with France, where a stadium announcer can call for such chanting to stop, followed by a five-minute suspension and then abandonment if it continues. He said he regretted that comparable measures are not in place in Champions League matches.

The France international said victory was his priority, but maintained that he had the right to celebrate with Fenerbahçe’s supporters and teammates after enduring the abuse throughout the game. He insisted that nothing he did was aggressive. His explanation therefore reinforces, rather than retracts, the confrontation that marked the fixture.