Paulo Fonseca, the head coach of French club Lyon, has been handed a nine-month touchline ban following an altercation with the referee during last week’s match.
According to the British news agency PA Media, Fonseca, who received the lengthy suspension on his 52nd birthday, will not be allowed on the bench until November of this year. This comes after a confrontation with French referee Benoît Millot during Lyon’s 2-1 victory over Brest in Ligue 1 last Sunday.
After being sent off by Millot, Fonseca angrily confronted the referee and shouted at him.
The French Football League has also banned the Portuguese coach from entering Lyon’s dressing room until next September.
Fonseca, who previously managed Lille and AC Milan, apologized for his behavior after the match.
He took charge of Lyon at the end of January, replacing Pierre Sage, and has managed only three games so far.
Lyon, currently sixth in Ligue 1, will face Steaua Bucharest in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 later today, Thursday.
