The Ligue de Football Professional and France’s National Sport Committee have upheld their decision to ban Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca for nine months after his confrontation with match officials in a 2-1 home win against Brest.
Why was the ban given and upheld for such a long period?
The Extent of Paulo Fonseca’s Ban
Lyon manager Fonseca, who was appointed to Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes club in late January, has been sidelined with a suspension from managing his side in the technical area since March 5th after he was banned by the Ligue de Football Professional (LFP).
This was the case after Fonseca had an angry confrontation with referee Benoît Millot in a home fixture against Brest the Sunday prior where the hosts won 2-1.
This suspension prohibits the Portuguese manager from attending the dressing rooms prior to and after the match until mid-September as well as from stepping foot in the dugout during league matches lasting until November 30, with this ban announced on Fonseca’s birthday.
This ban only applies to domestic matches and was not in effect in UEFA competitions, such as the Europa League, which Les Gones participated in until they were eliminated in the quarter-finals in extra time by Manchester United.
Why Was the Decision Upheld?
That being said, the French club, who qualified for the UEFA Europa League on the last day of the season, appealed the decision.
Yet, the decision was upheld by the Comité National Olympique du Sport Français (CNOSF), much to Fonseca’s annoyance, as he claims he has been made an example of.
Lyon further expressed frustration, stating that the authorities responsible for the decision never gave their manager a chance to explain himself.
According to Sebastien Deneux, President of the French Professional Football League’s disciplinary committee, the ban was awarded and upheld against the Portuguese manager for displaying an intimidating and threatening attitude towards the match official.
Deneux added on to say that Fonseca’s attitude is completely incompatible with his duties as a role model for the league and its fans after demonstrating such behaviour.
That being said, Fonseca disagrees with the decision awarded, claiming the decision is “unbelievable”, adding on to say “Of course, what I did wasn’t correct, but I screamed at the referee, I didn’t have any contact with him.”
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Other Punishments Awarded Recently by the LFP
Lyon is not the only club in France to be punished by the LFP recently. Just a week before Fonseca’s ban was awarded, the club president of Marseille, Pablo Longoria was also handed a lengthy ban.
This was due to Longoria claiming that there was corruption from the referees after former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille suffered a 3-0 defeat to last year’s Ligue 2 champions Auxerre at the Estadio de l’Abbé-Deschamps.
Since the decision was awarded, Longoria has since apologised, albeit he, much like Fonseca has been prohibited from attending the dressing rooms as well as the dugout before and prior to Ligue 1 matches until five match weeks into next season.
Overall, the LPF has been quick to present fines and suspensions to players, managers and higher-ups across French football.
With Fonseca’s appeal being rejected by the French sporting authorities – namely the CNOSF – to the frustration of both him and the club, Lyon will continue to be managed in domestic matches by assistant coach Jorge Maciel.
The former Lille assistant took charge following the dismissal of Pierre Sage, who was sacked after a run of poor results just a mere 14 months after his initial appointment.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 17.04.2025