Lyon Coach Paulo Fonseca Suspended Nine Months After Confrontation with Referee

Fonseca is barred from domestic matches through November, but led Lyon to a Europa League victory in Bucharest the day after his punishment was announced.

Paulo Fonseca, coach of Olympique Lyonnais, was suspended for nine months by the LFP for intimidating referee Benoît Millot during a Ligue 1 match against Brest.
The suspension prohibits Fonseca from accessing the bench, locker rooms, and other official areas during domestic matches, but does not apply to European competitions.
Fonseca expressed his dismay at the ruling, calling it 'very unjust,' and received strong public support from Lyon's owner, John Textor, and his players.
Despite the suspension, Fonseca coached Lyon in their Europa League match against FCSB in Bucharest, where they secured a 3-1 victory.
Lyon has announced plans to appeal the punishment, describing it as excessively harsh and influenced by broader tensions surrounding French refereeing.