Olympique Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has been given a nine-month suspension for a physical altercation with Ligue 1 referee Benoit Millot.The French Football Association (LFP) has banned Fonseca from having access to the touchline and the officials’ changing rooms before, during and after matches until November 30.He will also not be permitted to have access to the players’ changing rooms, the pitch and tunnel before, during and after fixtures until September 15. Moreover, the punishment has an immediate effect.Meanwhile let’s check in on Paulo Fonseca over in France pic.twitter.com/pSMhYd6sDQ— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) March 2, 2025 The 52-year-old tactician is suspended for his behaviour in the stoppage time of Lyon’s 2-1 Ligue 1 win over Brest on Sunday. While the VAR review was checking a potential penalty for Brest, Fonseca was given a straight red card for making a slight contact with Millot’s head, visibly outraged.Lyon confirmed in a statement they are “considering all possible options for appeal” after noting “the extreme severity of the unprecedented sanction, and the unusual speed” from the disciplinary committee.Lyon will sanction coach Fonseca for attacking Ligue 1 refereeLyon owner John Textor posted on his social media: “I stand with you today, and always. You made a mistake… Your apology was sincere… and your punishment is clearly too severe. You are the right man for OL and we shall persevere.”In an interview with L’Equipe via Reuters, referee Millot said things got out of control when he showed Fonseca the red card.”He had an even more intense attitude, attempting to deliver a blow, in fact… a headbutt,” he told the French newspaper.##NAJAVA_MECA_8755730##He said he was taken by surprise but didn’t want to back down. “I didn’t even have time to announce the final decision, which turned out to be not awarding a penalty,” he added. “There seemed to be a slight contact of the nose, to be precise.” Millot said that it was a “particularly intimidating, aggressive attitude, which one can hardly imagine from a professional coach.”Fonseca – whose side faces FCSB on Thursday night in the UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg – apologised for his actions after the game:”I should not have done it. Maybe we do things that are not right. I’m sorry,” he told DAZN.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16First legThursday20.45: (3.45) AZ Alkmaar (3.50) Tottenham (2.20) 20.45: (4.30) FCSB (3.60) Olympique Lyon (1.95)20.45: (1.67) Fenerbahce (3.95) Rangers (5.00)23.00: (2.25) Real Sociedad (3.35) Manchester United (3.50)23.00: (2.35) Ajax (3.50) Eintracht Frankfurt (3.15)23.00: (2.40) Bodo (3.25) Olympiakos (3.05)23.00: (4.00) Plzen (3.45) Lazio (1.95)23.00: (2.35) Roma (3.30) Athletic Bilbao (3.10)***odds are subject to change***
