Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca risks a 7-month ban for confronting referee Benoît Millot in the dying seconds of Les Gones' home Ligue 1 win over Brest this Sunday, as reported by RMC Sport. Fonseca lost the plot and received a red card as Millot was called to the on-pitch monitor to review a play that could have resulted in a last-minute penalty for the visitors. Fonseca then shouted to Millot's face, going head against head with the referee before Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso stepped in.
Fonseca apologized for his actions in the post-game press conference, but Ligue 1's Disciplinary Committee will certainly not let this latest outburst against a Ligue 1 referee slide. Last week, Pablo Longoria vented his fury at the level of refereeing in France's top-tier. The Spaniard notably repeated that the league was corrupt and he consequently received a 15-game ban.
Given Fonseca went inches away from Millot, his outburst may fall under LFP's Article 8 regarding "intimidating or threatening behaviour", RMC Sport understands. The League rulebook states that "Is intimidating, all words, gesture and/or attitude that could inspire fear. Is threatening, all words, gesture and/or attitude expressing the idea of prejudice to the physical integrity of a person." Any head coach or club executive found guilty of this towards an official during a game faces a 7-month ban, as per the ruleset.