Ex-Arsenal villain speaks explosive brawl with karate kicks, tunnel punches [VIDEO]
Football is an emotional sport that can quickly turn heated, and former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi found himself at the centre of a major tunnel altercation involving punches and karate-style kicks.
Guendouzi was pushed out of Arsenal’s squad in 2020 after grabbing then-Brighton and Hove Albion forward Neal Maupay by the throat. He was also heard taunting Brighton players over their salaries during the incident.
Years later, Guendouzi was once again involved in controversy, this time during an explosive Champions League qualifying clash between Fenerbahce and Lyon.
Following the match, the French midfielder appeared to taunt Lyon supporters, who are fierce rivals of his former club Olympique Marseille. The situation escalated when Lyon goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira confronted Guendouzi and was seen running towards him before delivering a karate-style kick near the tunnel.
The incident quickly descended into chaos as players from both teams became involved in a violent melee. Ferreira was reportedly pinned against a wall by several Fenerbahce players as tempers boiled over.
Guendouzi later defended his actions, claiming he had been responding to abuse from the Lyon supporters, who he said had insulted him and members of his family.
Speaking in the mixed zone after the game, Guendouzi said: “When you have 60,000 people insulting your family, your mother, your children, even before the game and no one on the referee’s side tells the crowd to be quiet.
“Because I know that in France, when this kind of thing happens, there comes a point when they will talk to the fans and stop the match. For 90 minutes, even longer with the warm-up, they insulted my family. It’s something that gets to you.
“If you want to banter, then it goes both ways. They insulted my mother and my family, and to me, that was disrespectful. Beyond that, if we can’t celebrate the way we want anymore, I think that’s a shame.
“Everyone knows I support OM; I’ve never hidden it. It’s just banter, they insulted my family, if after that we aren’t allowed to make the Jul sign, where are we heading?”
Guendouzi added: “I’ve seen matches where the Lyon players celebrate in front of the stands at the Vélodrome. It has to work both ways. As far as I’m concerned, I have the right to celebrate. There is nothing malicious about the Jul sign.”
Fenerbahce eventually secured a 2-1 victory on the night and progressed to the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate win. However, the dramatic tunnel confrontation quickly became the biggest talking point.
Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso criticised Guendouzi’s behaviour after the game, saying: “You have to stay humble in victory, go celebrate that with your team in the locker room. Well done, congratulations to them, but there’s no real need to do that.”
Fenerbahce head coach Ismail Kartal, however, defended the French midfielder and praised the team’s response, saying: “As a team we all stood together to support Guendouzi. Support was provided. That is what teamwork is all about.”
Click to watch VIDEO
