LYON manager Paulo Fonseca faces a SEVEN-MONTH ban after squaring up to referee Benoit Millot.
The French side actually beat Brest 2-1 in Ligue 1 but drama unfolded in the dying moments of the game.
Fonseca was previously shown yellow earlier in the game but he was sent off after Millot went over to the VAR screen to check for a Brest penalty.
The ex-Porto defender was livid with Millot, who then brandished the red card to send Fonseca off.
Fonseca squared up to the official in wild scenes and now faces a suspension over seven months, per the league’s rules.
His outburst falls under LFP’s Article 8 regarding “intimidating or threatening behaviour.”
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The rulebook states his behaviour was “intimidating, all words, gesture and/or attitude that could inspire fear.
“Is threatening, all words, gesture and/or attitude expressing the idea of prejudice to the physical integrity of a person.”
Any head coach or club executive found guilty of this towards an official during a game faces a seven-match ban, as per the ruleset.
Fonseca, who joined Lyon in January after being sacked by AC Milan, apologised for his outburst.
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He said: “I apologise for this gesture. I shouldn’t do that. Football makes us do bad gestures. The match was very difficult.
“Playing against Brest is always difficult, they are a physical team, they defended a lot. These are very important points.”
Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette added: “It’s part of football.
“I think he’ll regret this gesture but we’ll see what the disciplinary committee says.
“It’s tension. There are a lot of questionable choices. When you live the match, sometimes you can do things. We’re all behind the coach.”
Lyon are now sixth in the table with PSG leading second-place Marseille by 13 points.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
