Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca handed NINE-MONTH ban after squaring up to referee in shocking scenes

PAULO FONSECA has been handed a NINE-MONTH ban after his heated confrontation with a referee.

The Lyon manager had squared up to referee Benoit Millot during a Ligue 1 match against Brest.

AFP

Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca has been banned for nine months after squaring up to a referee[/caption]

Fonseca’s ban will last until November 30.

The Portuguese boss had squared up and then pressed his forehead against the match official after being sent off for dissent during the game on March 2, which had ended in a 2-1 win over Brest.

The act, which was paired with screaming in the refs face, was considered a head-butt and very aggressive gesture.

Referee Millot told L’Equipe after the game he was frightened.

Fonseca apologised after the incident, admitting it was “the wrong thing to do”.

Reports had suggested he could be banned for seven months.

But the actual punishment handed out by French officials is an even harsher nine-month ban.

It also means he cannot even step into the locker room to manage his squad until September 15.

The decision leaves Lyon bosses with a decision to make over whether they stick with Fonseca going forward.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..

The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.