Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca banned for nine months following heated clash with referee

 Lyon’s head coach, Paulo Fonseca, has received a nine‐month suspension from the French Professional Football League following a volatile encounter with referee Benoît Millot during a Ligue 1 clash with Brest.

Credits: skysports.com
Paulo Fonseca yells at French referee Benoit Millot after receiving a red card

Incident Overview

The controversy erupted during Lyon’s narrow 2–1 win over Brest. As the match neared its conclusion, Fonseca reacted fiercely to what he perceived as a questionable penalty decision in stoppage time. His anger quickly escalated after he was shown a red card for dissent. In an extraordinary move, Fonseca pressed his forehead against the referee—a gesture that Millot later described as an attempted head-butt—prompting intervention from Lyon’s own players to defuse the situation.

Disciplinary Action

In response to the incident, the LFP’s disciplinary committee imposed a suspension that restricts Fonseca from any involvement with the team’s bench or dressing rooms, as well as from participating in official match-related functions until November 30, 2025. This measure is intended to underscore the league’s strict stance on conduct towards match officials.

Reactions and Implications

Fonseca has since issued a public apology, stating, “I just want to say that I'm sorry for what I did. I should not do it.” Despite his apology, Lyon has expressed dissatisfaction with the length of the ban and is reportedly weighing the possibility of an appeal.

The suspension comes at a critical juncture for Lyon, who are currently positioned in sixth place in Ligue 1. The absence of their head coach is expected to present significant challenges as the club strategizes for the remainder of the season without his direct leadership.