Football is an emotional game that's capable of sparking all sorts of riots, which became clear during one clash featuring one former Arsenal ace

Former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi was at the heart of a huge tunnel fight which saw punches and karate kicks be thrown. Guendouzi was banished from the Gunners' squad in 2020, after he grabbed then Brighton and Hove Albion forward Neal Maupay by the throat and was also heard taunting the Seagulls' players about their salaries.

Fast forward to the present day, Guendouzi was at the heart of an explosive Champions League qualifying clash between Fenerbahce and Lyon. After the match, the Frenchman was seen taunting the Lyon fans - the main rivals of his former side Olympique Marseille - before he was stopped by opposition goalkeeper coach Antonio Ferreira running and karate kicking him by the tunnel.

It sparked a violent melee which saw players from both sides come to blows, while Ferreira was pinned against a wall by Fenerbahce stars. After the match, Guendouzi insisted he was only responding to the Lyon fans who taunted him and shouted insults at his family.

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Speaking in the mixed zone after the match, 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?

"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 emerged as 2-1 winners, securing a 3-2 aggregate victory which takes them into this season's Champions League. However, the main talking point was the almighty clash in the tunnel.

Lyon ace Corentino Tolisso condemned Guendouzi's actions after the match, 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."

Meanwhile, Ismail Kartal, the head coach of Fenerbahce backed the Frenchman, saying: "As a team we all stood together to support Guendouzi. Support was provided. That is what teamwork is all about."