Lyon are ‘finding out all attainable options for an enchantment’ after supervisor Paul Fonseca copped a monster touchline suspension for shouting in a referee’s face.
The Portuguese boss was proven a purple card by referee Benoit Millot for dissent in stoppage-time of their 2-1 win over Brest.
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When Millot displayed the purple card, the Lyon supervisor marched as much as the official, squaring up and screaming in his face.
Fonseca was booked earlier within the match earlier than seeing purple.
The 52-year-old was subsequently hit with a whopping nine-month ban for the confrontation, together with his suspension to finish on November 30.
In a brutal twist, the ruling was handed down on Fonseca’s birthday.
Lyon have since hit again by way of a strongly-worded assertion.
“The membership deplores that its coach was not judged on his actions alone, an emotional response, with none clear intention of bodily attacking the referee,” the assertion learn.
“In mild of a sanction that appears to be dictated by a deleterious context affecting French refereeing, OL declares any more that it’s finding out all attainable options for enchantment.
“Greater than ever, the membership is united and centered on its sporting goals.”
Fonseca’s livid rage fell beneath LFP’s (French League governing physique’s) Article 8 relating to “intimidating or threatening behaviour.”
The rulebook states that the outburst was “intimidating, all phrases, gesture and/or angle that might encourage worry.
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“Is threatening, all phrases, gesture and/or angle expressing the concept of prejudice to the bodily integrity of an individual.”
In keeping with the foundations, any supervisor or membership workers member discovered responsible of this in the direction of an official can face a ban of as much as seven months.
Lyon’s gamers knew the risks of their supervisor’s response on the time, and so they have been fast to intervene, with some even pushing him away.
However Fonseca determined to show round and make his means again in the direction of Millot earlier than members of his squad stood between the 2 earlier than two obvious members of safety helped lead him away.
Talking to DAZN by way of RMC Sport after, Fonseca issued an apology for his behaviour that marred Lyon’s house victory.
“I apologise for this gesture,” he stated. “I should not try this. Soccer makes us do unhealthy gestures. The match was very troublesome.
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“Enjoying in opposition to Brest is all the time troublesome, they’re a bodily crew, they defended so much. These are crucial factors.”
Lyon captain Alexandre Lacazette additionally stated: “It is a part of soccer.
“I believe he’ll remorse this gesture, however we’ll see what the disciplinary committee says.
“It is pressure. There are a number of questionable decisions. While you reside the match, generally you are able to do issues. We’re all behind the coach.”
Fonseca, a former centre-back, began the 2024/25 season as the top coach at AC Milan.
Nonetheless, he spent simply six months on the San Siro and left the membership eighth in Serie A on the finish of December.
The 51-year-old was appointed at Lyon a month later, which sealed his return to Ligue 1 following a earlier spell with Lille.
Victory in opposition to Brest was his third from 5 matches since finishing his transfer and has them sitting sixth within the French prime flight.
Lyon subsequent face Romanian outfit FC Steaua Bucuresti within the Europa League on Thursday earlier than a league conflict at Good, though Fonseca is about to be absent by his suspension.