Olympique Lyon manager, Paulo Fonseca, has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League (FLP) following his violent confrontation with a referee.
Following his red card for dissent in the 2-1 victory over Brest on Sunday, the Lyon gaffer squared up to Benoit Millot, screaming in the face of official.
The FLP then ruled the altercation as an attitude characteristic of intimidating and threatening behaviour. Fonseca is therefore barred from the touchline until November 30. He is also not allowed to be in the dressing room with Lyon players before and after an official game until September 15.
Millot also described the incident as frightening. In an interview with L’Equipe, the official 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.”
Meanwhile, the punishment does not impact European competitions with Lyon due to face Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League last 16.
However, 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.
The former Porto boss later apologised for his behaviour, admitting it was “the wrong thing to do”.
Howbeit, following the long term ban, Fonseca is at risk of losing his job as Lyon boss, after just two months.
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