Lyon manager, Paulo Fonseca gets 9-month ban for confronting referee

Lyon manager, Paulo Fonseca, has been handed a nine-month ban by the French Professional Football League, FLP.

This follows his confrontation with referee Benoit Millot during his side’s 2-1 win over Brest in a Ligue 1 match.

In a statement on Wednesday, FLP announced that Fonseca will be barred from accessing the bench, the officials’ dressing rooms, and taking part in any official functions before, during, or after matches until November 30.

Fonseca was shown a red card deep into stoppage time for furiously reacting to a potential penalty against his team.

After getting sent off, Fonseca confronted Millot and leaned in very close to his face, before being pushed away by Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso.

Fonseca tried to confront the referee again and had to be restrained by some of his players.

The Portuguese coach apologised afterward.

“I just want to say that I’m sorry for what I did. I should not do it,” Fonseca told DAZN.

“Maybe we do things that are not right. I’m sorry.”