Lyon Manager Paulo Fonseca banned for nine months following incident with Referee

Lyon manager, Paulo Fonseca, has been given a nine-month ban by the French Professional Football League (FLP) following an incident with referee Benoit Millot during his team’s 2-1 victory over Brest in a Ligue 1 match.

The FLP announced on Wednesday that Fonseca will not be allowed to access the bench, officials’ dressing rooms, or participate in any official activities before, during, or after matches until November 30.

Fonseca was shown a red card during stoppage time after reacting angrily to a possible penalty decision against his team. After being sent off, he approached Millot and got very close to his face. Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso had to push him away. Fonseca tried to confront the referee again, but was stopped by some of his players.

The Portuguese manager later apologised for his actions. “I just want to say that I’m sorry for what I did. I shouldn’t have done it,” Fonseca said to DAZN. “Sometimes we do things that are not right. I’m sorry.”