Nemanja Matić (foto: Uradni Twitter profil kluba/zveze)
Nemanja Matić refused to shake hands with Lyon’s coaching staff and walked off after being subbed against Monaco, further escalating tensions at the club.
Nemanja Matić caused major controversy on Saturday night after refusing to shake hands with a Lyon assistant coach and leaving the bench area mid-match, in a scene that quickly went viral across French and European media.
The incident occurred during Lyon’s crucial 2–0 defeat to Monaco, a result that handed Monaco Champions League qualification while leaving Lyon’s European hopes in jeopardy with just one Ligue 1 matchday remaining.
Matić was substituted in the 65th minute, replaced by Rayan Cherki, but rather than joining his teammates on the bench, the Serbian midfielder walked straight down the tunnel after snubbing assistant coach Jorge Maciel’s handshake.
According to DAZN, the snub and early exit highlight ongoing tensions between Matić and head coach Paulo Fonseca’s staff — tensions that have reportedly been simmering for weeks.
“I only found out after the match that he had left the bench. I haven’t spoken to him yet, but I’m glad he’s frustrated. We all should be,” said Maciel after the game.
With his future already uncertain, this latest episode almost certainly signals the end of Matić’s spell at Lyon. The 35-year-old joined the club from Rennes earlier this season, but his relationship with Fonseca’s coaching team has deteriorated over the second half of the campaign.
Barring a dramatic turnaround, Matić is expected to leave Lyon this summer, with his next move likely to be decided following next weekend’s final round of Ligue 1 fixtures.