Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League (FLP) following his violent confrontation with a referee.
Fonseca was seen squaring up to and screaming in the face of official Benoit Millot as the referee sent the manager off during Lyon’s 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest on Sunday.
The FLP said in a statement on Wednesday that Fonseca will be barred from the touchline until November 30, while he is not allowed to be in the dressing room with Lyon players before and after an official game until September 15.
The altercation left the official frightened. In an interview with L’Equipe, Millot said: “He jumped at me with an intimidating attitude, and I decided to send him off directly. It continued to spiral out of control.
“He had an even more intense attitude, attempting to deliver a blow, in fact. A headbutt. I didn’t even have time to announce the final decision, which turned out to be not awarding a penalty. There seemed to be a slight contact of the nose, to be precise.”
The punishment does not impact European competitions with Lyon due to face Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League last 16 on Thursday night, but the ban could extend to continental competitions should France’s football authorities refer the case to UEFA and FIFA.
Fonseca has been Lyon manager since January 31 after he was sacked by AC Milan a month earlier. He was handed the ban on the same day as his 52nd birthday.
Explaining the nine-month ban, Sebastien Deneux, president of the disciplinary committee said: “Mr Fonseca is a Ligue 1 coach. He is above all an educator. It goes without saying that this attitude is strictly incompatible with these functions.
“The committee found that Mr Fonseca’s attitude, throwing himself towards the referee, yelling at him, to the point that they found themselves head to head, is an attitude characteristic of intimidating and threatening behaviour.”
Fonseca apologised for his behaviour.
More to follow…
This is a breaking news story that is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh this page for the latest updates.
Sky Sports brings you live updates as they happen. Get breaking sports news, analysis, exclusive interviews, replays and highlights.
Sky Sports is your trusted source for breaking sports news headlines and live updates. Watch live coverage of your favourite sports: Football, F1, Boxing, Cricket, Golf, Tennis, Rugby League, Rugby Union, NFL, Darts, Netball and get the latest transfers news, results, scores and more.
Visit skysports.com or the Sky Sports App for all the breaking sports news headlines. You can receive push notifications from the Sky Sports app for the latest news from your favourite sports, you can follow @SkySportsNews on X to get the latest updates and you can also now follow Sky Sports’ WhatsApp channel.