Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca has been hit with an astonishing nine-month suspension for confronting a referee during his side’s 2-1 Ligue 1 win over Brest at the weekend.
The 52-year-old reacted furiously to official Benoit Millot being called over to check the pitchside monitor for a potential late penalty to Les Pirates, receiving a red card before inexplicably squaring up to the referee.
Fonseca had to firstly be pushed away by Corentin Tolisso before attempting to confront Millot again, still verbally berating the referee, but more Lyon players and security staff formed a barrier between the two men.
The former AC Milan and Roma manager risked a lengthy suspension of at least seven months for his inexcusable actions, and the Disciplinary Commission have now revealed his punishment.
Fonseca will now be banned from the dugout for almost a full nine months, while he will also be unable to enter the locker rooms or the stadium tunnel until the middle of September.
A statement from the LFP’s Disciplinary Commission read: “Firm suspension before, during and after the match from access to the bench, the officials’ locker rooms and all official functions, until November 30, 2025 inclusive.
“In addition, until September 15, 2025 inclusive, this suspension will be accompanied before, during and after the match, by a ban on access to the players’ locker rooms, the pitch, the tunnel and all corridors leading to the aforementioned areas. The sanction takes effect immediately.”
Can Fonseca still coach in Europa League after nine-month ban?
© Imago
For the time being, Fonseca’s astounding punishment only applies to domestic matches, meaning that he is still free to take charge of Lyon games in the Europa League.
Les Gones take on FCSB in the first leg of their last-16 showdown on Thursday evening, but the French FA could decide to take the matter to UEFA and FIFA, who could then impose a continental sanction on Fonseca.
The ex-Rossoneri head coach – who celebrates his 52nd birthday on the same day his ban was confirmed – took over as Lyon manager from Pierre Sage at the end of January and has won three and lost two of his first five games in charge.
Les Gones sit in sixth place in the Ligue 1 table, and their first top-flight game since Fonseca’s ban was confirmed comes away to Nice on Sunday evening.
