04.09.2026 11:21
In the disciplinary process UEFA initiated against Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood following the Lyon match, the possibility of a 1 to 3 match ban has come to the fore. The penalties previously given to stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Simeone, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe for similar actions have become the center of the debate on the Fenerbahçe side.
The events that unfolded after Fenerbahce's play-off second leg, where they eliminated Lyon to qualify for the Champions League, have been brought to UEFA's agenda. While a disciplinary process has been initiated regarding yellow-navy players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood, it has been claimed that the two players could face a ban of 1 to 3 matches.
CLAIM OF 1-3 MATCH BAN According to reports in the French press, the actions of Guendouzi and Greenwood after the match have been taken under review by UEFA. It is stated that if the two players' behavior is assessed under the scope of insult, unsportsmanlike conduct, or provoking spectators, they could face a ban of 1 to 3 matches. UEFA has not yet issued a finalized punishment to the two players.
THE CONTROVERSIAL GESTURE: "JUL" In the images said to be the subject of the disciplinary process, it was reported that Fenerbahce players made the hand gesture associated with French rapper Jul. Following the gesture, which is said to symbolize the letters "J-U-L" with the fingers, the activation of the disciplinary process has reopened debates over past decisions made about star players.
PRECEDENT DECISIONS DRAW ATTENTION In the football world, numerous star names have previously been referred to the disciplinary committee for inappropriate gestures directed at stands or opposing fans. According to the shared table of precedent decisions, the punishments given to some names are as follows:
Cristiano Ronaldo in 2019, gesture pointing to the groin/genital area against Atletico - No ban + 20 thousand euros Diego Simeone in 2019, celebration grabbing his groin in the Juventus match - No ban + 20 thousand euros Jude Bellingham in 2024, gesture grabbing his groin in the Slovakia match - Suspended 1 match + 30 thousand euros Kylian Mbappe in 2025, genital gesture towards Atletico stands - Suspended 1 match + 30 thousand euros Dani Ceballos in 2025, inappropriate hand gesture towards Atletico stands - Suspended 1 match + 20 thousand euros Dele Alli in 2017, middle finger during the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - 1 match ban + fine Antonio Rudiger - Action details not specified in the table - Suspended 1 match + 20 thousand euros Mark van Bommel - Action details not specified in the table - Suspended 1 match + 6 thousand 200 euros RONALDO AND SIMEONE HAD NOT RECEIVED BANS Among the precedents, the decisions regarding Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Simeone particularly stand out. According to the shared table, both individuals received fines of 20 thousand euros each for their actions in 2019 but were not handed match bans. In the examples concerning Bellingham, Mbappe, Ceballos, Rudiger, and Van Bommel, there are one-match suspended sentences.
EYES ON UEFA'S DECISION The possibility of a 1-3 match ban discussed for Guendouzi and Greenwood, when evaluated alongside these past decisions, has brought about controversy. After UEFA completes its disciplinary process, the decision it will make regarding the two Fenerbahce players and how it will establish a punitive balance with past cases is being awaited with curiosity.