The Champions League play-off between French club Lyon and Turkish club Fenerbahce on Wednesday (Aug 26) turned violent, with Fenerbahce's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi at the center. The Turkish club won 2-1 on Wednesday at Lyon, securing their first Champions League main stage spot since 2008/09 with a 3-2 aggregate victory. After the win, a scuffle broke out between the players and staff of both sides on the pitch and in the tunnel.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-2026-27-draw-full-list-of-36-qualified-teams-format-dates-broadcast-details-1787814223777">Champions League 2026/27 Draw: Full List of 36 qualified teams, format, dates &amp; broadcast details</a><h2>What led to the Lyon vs Fenerbahce scuffle in the Champions League play-off?</h2>As soon as the final whistle blew, Guendouzi—who had already been in a heated exchange with the home fans—rushed toward the corner where the visiting Fenerbahce fans were gathered. He then got into another argument with Antonio Ferreira, Lyon's goalkeeping coach, which escalated into a full-scale fight involving players and staff from both teams on the pitch and leading into the tunnel.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">guendouzi DOVUş <a href="https://t.co/soFe3aqZ8K">pic.twitter.com/soFe3aqZ8K</a>&mdash; memō🇧🇦🇹🇷 (@edin9makina) <a href="https://x.com/edin9makina/status/2092719101248417960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What each side said after the brawl:</h2>Guendouzi, who played for Lyon's arch-rivals Marseille from 2021 to 2024, blamed abuse from the Lyon supporters for his reaction and said after the match as reported:"As you know, when 60,000 people insult your family, your mother, your children, even before the match, and no one from the officiating team asks the fans to keep quiet... because I know that in France, when this kind of thing happens, they reach a point where they talk to the fans and the match can be stopped.For 90 minutes, and even more during the warm-up, they insulted my family. It is something that affects you deeply... They insulted my mother and my family, which I consider disrespectful. In addition, if we are no longer able to celebrate the way we want, I think that is regrettable."Corentin Tolisso, Guendouzi's former international teammate and current Lyon midfielder, offered a different perspective on the incident:"I simply told him to celebrate with his team and to stay humble after the win. Leave the Lyon fans alone, they are frustrated enough. I find this behavior irresponsible. I hope he learns from it."&nbsp;

Fenerbahce beat Lyon 2-1 (3-2 agg) to reach the Champions League. Post-match scenes turned violent as ex-Marseille midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi sparked a brawl with home fans and Lyon staff.

The Champions League play-off between French club Lyon and Turkish club Fenerbahce on Wednesday (Aug 26) turned violent, with Fenerbahce's French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi at the center. The Turkish club won 2-1 on Wednesday at Lyon, securing their first Champions League main stage spot since 2008/09 with a 3-2 aggregate victory. After the win, a scuffle broke out between the players and staff of both sides on the pitch and in the tunnel. Also Read - Champions League 2026/27 Draw: Full List of 36 qualified teams, format, dates & broadcast details What led to the Lyon vs Fenerbahce scuffle in the Champions League play-off? As soon as the final whistle blew, Guendouzi—who had already been in a heated exchange with the home fans—rushed toward the corner where the visiting Fenerbahce fans were gathered. He then got into another argument with Antonio Ferreira, Lyon's goalkeeping coach, which escalated into a full-scale fight involving players and staff from both teams on the pitch and leading into the tunnel.

Fenerbahce beat Lyon 2-1 (3-2 agg) to reach the Champions League. Post-match scenes turned violent as ex-Marseille midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi sparked a brawl with home fans and Lyon staff.

Matteo Guendouzi at centre of brawl after Fenerbahce seal Champions League return at Lyon

Seven-time French champions Lyon have kept their Ligue 1 place after winning their appeal against relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Wednesday. Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November. American businesswoman Michele Kang then took over as club president from compatriot John Textor. The FFF said Lyon would have to cut their wage bill and transfer budget for the upcoming campaign.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-real-madrid-coach-carlo-ancelotti-sentenced-to-one-year-jail-for-tax-fraud-1752071771554">Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti sentenced to one-year jail for tax fraud</a>"Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new club management," the club said in a statement."Today's decision constitutes the first step of re-establishing trust in Lyon."Two weeks ago, Textor said he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of the club.The second-largest shareholder at the club behind Textor, Kang was already president of the Lyon women's team.Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League and will be allowed to play in that competition after the successful appeal, but they had already agreed to pay UEFA a fine.Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit.Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas."Michele Kang has been able to provide, with courage, the gurantees needed to preserve the future of the club," Aulas said on social media."But the most difficult part is to come. A new period is underway, one of reconstruction.""I will remain committed, alongside Michele Kang and all those who believe in the strength of Lyon's ambition," the 76-year-old Frenchman added.Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafogo and Belgian club Molenbeek.He sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League side Crystal Palace in mid-June as he tried to balance the books at Lyon.Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released.They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como.Textor said his Eagle group has also put 83 million euros ($97 million) into the club.Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles.Lyon began their pre-season on Monday. Their first game of the Ligue 1 season is a trip to Lens on the weekend of August 15-17.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November.

Seven-time French champions Lyon have kept their Ligue 1 place after winning their appeal against relegation, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Wednesday. Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November. American businesswoman Michele Kang then took over as club president from compatriot John Textor. The FFF said Lyon would have to cut their wage bill and transfer budget for the upcoming campaign. Also Read - Former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti sentenced to one-year jail for tax fraud "Lyon would like to thank the appeal commission after it recognised the ambition of the new club management," the club said in a statement. "Today's decision constitutes the first step of re-establishing trust in Lyon." Two weeks ago, Textor said he would take a step back from the day-to-day running of the club. The second-largest shareholder at the club behind Textor, Kang was already president of the Lyon women's team. Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season to qualify for the Europa League and will be allowed to play in that competition after the successful appeal, but they had already agreed to pay UEFA a fine. Textor took over as Lyon's majority owner in December 2022 from long-standing boss Jean-Michel Aulas, who had overseen unprecedented success at the French outfit. Lyon won seven consecutive French titles between 2002 and 2008, under Aulas. "Michele Kang has been able to provide, with courage, the gurantees needed to preserve the future of the club," Aulas said on social media. "But the most difficult part is to come. A new period is underway, one of reconstruction." "I will remain committed, alongside Michele Kang and all those who believe in the strength of Lyon's ambition," the 76-year-old Frenchman added. Textor, 59, also holds stakes in Brazilian side Botafogo and Belgian club Molenbeek. He sold his 43 percent stake in Premier League side Crystal Palace in mid-June as he tried to balance the books at Lyon. Lyon have reduced their salary bill with attacker Alexandre Lacazette and goalkeeper Anthony Lopes released. They have sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City and Maxence Caqueret to Como. Textor said his Eagle group has also put 83 million euros ($97 million) into the club. Only five clubs have won Ligue 1 more often. Paris Saint-Germain hold the record with 13 titles. Lyon began their pre-season on Monday. Their first game of the Ligue 1 season is a trip to Lens on the weekend of August 15-17. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Last month, Lyon were relegated to the second-tier Ligue 2 by French football's financial watchdog, who had placed the club under budgetary restrictions in November.

Ligue 1 club Lyon back from relegation after successful appeal

Lyon will be able to play in Europe next season if they win their appeal against relegation to the French second division, the club said on Friday. On Tuesday, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) demoted the club. &nbsp;Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the Europa League, said at once they would appeal.&nbsp;On Friday, they said that UEFA -- the governing body of European football -- was prepared to accept them into continental competition. "Olympique Lyonnais completed the financial sustainability procedure and signed an agreement with the UEFA Club Financial Control Body," the club said on their web site. "The club could therefore participate in next season's Europa League, subject to a favorable outcome of the appeal of the DNCG decision."&nbsp;After the DNCG initially ruled in November that Lyon would be relegated at the the end of the season, UEFA began monitoring the club. On May 5, UEFA fined Lyon 200,000 euros ($234,400) for unpaid bills to other clubs, to employees, and to the tax and social security authorities.&nbsp;After the DNCG ruling confirmed its initial decision, the club said they had met "all of its demands". &nbsp;While they were unable to convince the French watchdog, UEFA has ruled Lyon could play in Europe. &nbsp;Lyon will have seven days to appeal from the date they are officially notified of the DNCG's ruling. The club said Friday they had not yet received the notification.&nbsp;Earlier, seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon said on Tuesday they would appeal their relegation to the second-tier by French football's financial watchdog. At a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November.&nbsp;"Over the past few months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, meeting all of its demands with equity investments exceeding the amounts requested," the club said in a statement." &nbsp;After the meeting, Lyon's president John Textor said he remained confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989."Our liquidity situation has improved considerably," he said.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lyon can compete in Europe if they overturn relegation: Club

Lyon will be able to play in Europe next season if they win their appeal against relegation to the French second division, the club said on Friday. On Tuesday, French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) demoted the club. Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season and qualified for the Europa League, said at once they would appeal. On Friday, they said that UEFA -- the governing body of European football -- was prepared to accept them into continental competition. "Olympique Lyonnais completed the financial sustainability procedure and signed an agreement with the UEFA Club Financial Control Body," the club said on their web site. "The club could therefore participate in next season's Europa League, subject to a favorable outcome of the appeal of the DNCG decision." After the DNCG initially ruled in November that Lyon would be relegated at the the end of the season, UEFA began monitoring the club. On May 5, UEFA fined Lyon 200,000 euros ($234,400) for unpaid bills to other clubs, to employees, and to the tax and social security authorities. After the DNCG ruling confirmed its initial decision, the club said they had met "all of its demands". While they were unable to convince the French watchdog, UEFA has ruled Lyon could play in Europe. Lyon will have seven days to appeal from the date they are officially notified of the DNCG's ruling. The club said Friday they had not yet received the notification. Earlier, seven-time Ligue 1 champions Lyon said on Tuesday they would appeal their relegation to the second-tier by French football's financial watchdog. At a hearing earlier in the day, Lyon were unable to convince the regulator (DNCG) to lift the restrictions it had put on the club in November. "Over the past few months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, meeting all of its demands with equity investments exceeding the amounts requested," the club said in a statement." After the meeting, Lyon's president John Textor said he remained confident of avoiding the drop to Ligue 2 for next season, where the club has not played since 1989. "Our liquidity situation has improved considerably," he said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

On Friday, they said that UEFA -- the governing body of European football -- was prepared to accept them into continental competition