Greenwood and former Arsenal player investigated for provocative gestures after Champions League match

UEFA has opened a disciplinary investigation into Mason Greenwood and former Arsenal player Matteo Guendouzi after the two were alleged to have made provocative gestures during a Champions League match.

The incident occurred during the second leg of the Champions League playoff tie against Lyon in August. The match ended in a 1-2 defeat, but Fenerbahce advanced to the main competition with a 3-2 aggregate victory. The Turkish Super League club issued a statement through X (formerly Twitter), confirming that it would contest the proceedings initiated by UEFA.

The statement said: "After the conclusion of the second leg of the Champions League playoff match, UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against our players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood, as well as our club. Our club will present the necessary defense before the relevant UEFA bodies to protect the rights of our players and Fenerbahce throughout this process."

Fenerbahce concluded: "The necessary information, documents and defenses regarding this process will be submitted to UEFA, and developments are being closely monitored by our club. We hereby inform the public."

It is alleged that both Greenwood and Guendouzi made groin-grabbing gestures to provoke Lyon supporters, while the latter also raised his middle finger toward fans.

Guendouzi previously spent two and a half seasons at Marseille, Lyon's fierce rivals, and became involved in another confrontation after eliminating the Ligue 1 club in late August. Reports said a fight broke out on the pitch and in the tunnel, involving players and staff from both clubs. Guendouzi ran across the pitch performing a karate-style kicking motion, prompting Lyon players to confront him. The former Arsenal player was then protected by his Fenerbahce teammates.

The Frenchman's actions continued to anger the home supporters as he left the field. He was alleged to have smiled and gestured toward them before being angrily pushed by a Lyon staff member.