‘I feel great injustice’ – Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca reacts to 9-month ban | OneFootball

Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca has been handed a 9-month ban by Ligue 1’s Disciplinary Committee yesterday after confronting Ligue 1 referee Benoît Millot. The scale of the punishment for a head coach in one of Ligue 1’s major clubs is unprecedented in the modern era. Fonseca’s ban will end on November 30. Lyon have decided to stick with the Portuguese manager, despite the duration of the suspension. The 52-year-old Portuguese manager told Canal+ he was grateful for Lyon’s support during such a troubled time for him. “What matters most to me is the backing of my club and this amazing group“, said Fonseca before Lyon’s Europa League RO16 first leg tie against FCSB.

Fonseca also said he was adamant he would not walk away from the Lyon job despite being suspended for the next nine months or so. “I am ready to continue working despite this lengthy ban. We have to find solutions together and organize the team in the best possible way to prepare the matches.”

The former Milan AC head coach thought such a lengthy ban is way too severe. Despite going head against head with Millot, Fonseca has denied touching the Ligue 1 referee. “I feel a great injustice about the decision that was made. I want to clarify that I have never touched the referee and that I never intended to be physically aggressive.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval