PAULO FONSECA has been handed a NINE-MONTH ban after his heated confrontation with a referee.
The Lyon manager had squared up to official Benoit Millot during a Ligue 1 match against Brest.
Fonseca’s ban will last until November 30.
The Portuguese boss had squared up and then pressed his forehead against the ref after being sent off for dissent during the game on March 2, which had ended in a 2-1 win over Brest.
The act, which was paired with screaming in the refs face, was considered a head-butt and very aggressive gesture.
Referee Millot told L’Equipe after the game he was “frightened”.
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Fonseca apologised after the incident, admitting it was “the wrong thing to do”.
Reports had suggested he could be banned for seven months.
But the actual punishment handed out by French officials is an even harsher nine-month ban.
It also means he cannot even step into the locker room to manage his squad until September 15.
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The decision leaves Lyon chiefs with a decision to make over whether they stick with Fonseca going forward.
Fonseca took over Lyon at the end of January, and has managed just five Ligue 1 games so far – winning three and losing two.
He has previously managed Lille in France, where he lasted for 90 matches between July 2022 and June 2024.
Elsewhere, Fonseca has managed the likes of AC Milan, AS Roma, SC Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto.
He won seven trophies with Shakhtar, one with Braga and one with Porto.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
