The French Professional Football League suspended Lyon coach Paulo Fonseca for nine months. They punished him after he confronted referee Benoit Millot during Lyon's recent 2-1 win against Brest in Ligue 1.
Fonseca earned a red card at the very end of stoppage time because he reacted angrily about a possible Brest penalty kick. The league announced Wednesday that Fonseca could not go near the bench, enter referee changing rooms, or take part in any official activities before, during, or after games until November 30.
Lyon expressed major concerns about how harsh and quick officials made this decision against their coach. The club argued that judges considered more than just what Fonseca actually did. Lyon described his behavior as simply an emotional response without any intention to hurt the referee.
"Because this punishment seems influenced by the negative situation affecting French referees' rights," Lyon stated, "we are looking into every possible appeal option." The Ligue 1 team clearly feels the league made this ruling based on broader referee issues rather than just Fonseca's specific actions during that game.
Fonseca earned a red card at the very end of stoppage time because he reacted angrily about a possible Brest penalty kick. The league announced Wednesday that Fonseca could not go near the bench, enter referee changing rooms, or take part in any official activities before, during, or after games until November 30.
Lyon expressed major concerns about how harsh and quick officials made this decision against their coach. The club argued that judges considered more than just what Fonseca actually did. Lyon described his behavior as simply an emotional response without any intention to hurt the referee.
"Because this punishment seems influenced by the negative situation affecting French referees' rights," Lyon stated, "we are looking into every possible appeal option." The Ligue 1 team clearly feels the league made this ruling based on broader referee issues rather than just Fonseca's specific actions during that game.
