Lyon Coach Paulo Fonseca Banned for Nine Months After Referee Confrontation

Fonseca's suspension follows an aggressive altercation during a Ligue 1 match, barring him from key team activities until November 2025.

Paulo Fonseca, Lyon's head coach, has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League (LFP) for confronting referee Benoît Millot during a 2-1 victory over Brest on Sunday.
The ban prohibits Fonseca from accessing the bench, officials' locker rooms, and all official functions until November 30, 2025, with additional restrictions on team access until September 15, 2025.
The incident involved Fonseca angrily approaching the referee over a potential penalty decision, with reports stating their heads touched in what was described as an intimidating and aggressive act.
Fonseca has apologized publicly and in writing to French refereeing officials, while Lyon has criticized the severity of the punishment and is considering an appeal.
The suspension applies only to domestic competitions, allowing Fonseca to participate in UEFA-organized matches, including Lyon's upcoming Europa League game against FCSB.