Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca hit with NINE-MONTH ban

Tom Weber

Updated: 5 Mar 2025 21:21 GMT
3 min read

Paulo Fonseca, Olympique Lyon, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Olympique Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca has been handed a huge nine-month ban for 'intimidating' referee Benoit Millot.

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The Portuguese completely lost his temper during a match between Lyon and Stade Brest at the beginning of the month. Fonseca went face-to-face with referee Millot and shouted at him, duly prompting the official to send him to the stands.

Due to the nature of the altercation and the intensity with which Fonseca had let loose on Millot, it was clear to the French press that the manager could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Fonseca has been accused of 'intimidating or threatening behaviour,' which could have entailed a seven-month ban as part of the Ligue 1 rulebook. However, the final ruling is even more severe than initially anticipated.

Fonseca hit with nine-month ban

It has now been announced that Fonseca will be banned from the sidelines for a whopping nine months, a punishment that is unprecedented for a currently serving head coach, according to L'Equipe.

Fonseca, who turned 52 today, will not be able to be pitchside again until November 30. He will, however, be allowed to enter the team's dressing room on matchdays starting from September 15.

To say that it has been a season to forget for Fonseca would be an understatement. Ahead of the campaign, the former Lille boss was touted as a potential target for Liverpool.

He ended up joining AC Milan instead, but endured a torrid time and was sacked on December 29. His stint at Lyon has now started off in the worst possible fashion.

Fonseca has owned up to his actions and he apologised to referee Millot immediately after the game, but it hasn't been enough to prevent a historic sanction.

The Portuguese is known to be dealing with off-field issues, too. He is living alone in Lyon, with his wife and children still in Italy. His in-laws, meanwhile, are stuck in war-torn Ukraine.