Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca handed lengthy touchline ban after referee clash
Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca has been banned from the touchline until November following a heated confrontation with a referee during his side’s 2-1 victory over Brest in Ligue 1 on Sunday.
The French league’s disciplinary commission announced the decision on Wednesday, ruling that Fonseca’s actions were “intimidating and threatening.” The Portuguese coach, who only took charge four weeks ago after replacing Pierre Sage, will be prohibited from the dugout and referee’s dressing room until November 30. Additionally, he is barred from entering Lyon’s changing rooms until mid-September.
“By throwing himself at the referee and shouting at him, (Fonseca) displayed an intimidating and threatening attitude,” said commission president Sebastien Deneux.
The ruling raises questions about Fonseca’s future at Lyon, as he has overseen just three matches since his appointment on January 31—an initial defeat to Marseille, a commanding 4-0 win over Reims, and Sunday’s victory over Brest, which lifted the team to sixth place.
The decision follows last week’s 15-match ban for Marseille president Pablo Longoria, who was sanctioned for accusations of refereeing “corruption” after his team’s 3-0 loss to Auxerre.
“The commission regrets that once again a major figure in Ligue 1 has demonstrated such behaviour,” Deneux added. “Mr Fonseca is a coach in Ligue 1, he is above all a teacher, and it goes without saying this attitude is completely incompatible with his duties.”
(Source: AFP)
