Former Milan Coach Attacked the Referee – Faces a Seven-Month Ban

Paulo Fonseca lost his cool in a Ligue 1 match.

Yes, Milan changes people. Try coaching a sluggish Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão for six months under Zlatan Ibrahimović’s strict supervision — let’s see how your nerves hold up. That’s exactly what happened to the usually diplomatic and mild-mannered Paulo Fonseca, who is now trying to shake off his red-and-black flashbacks at Lyon. At least, that’s how we knew him before.

Turns out, he has a fiery side too. The Portuguese coach showed a new facet of his personality during Lyon’s crucial Ligue 1 Matchday 24 clash against Brest. Every game is crucial for Fonseca’s team, as Monaco’s crisis has unexpectedly put them in contention for a Champions League spot.

Fonseca’s influence on this turnaround has been minimal. He took over Lyon in late January, winning two games and losing two. Many still don’t understand why the club sacked Pierre Sage, who kept the team in European contention despite financial struggles. Apparently, that wasn’t enough for Lyon’s bosses, meaning Fonseca faces immense pressure.

We’re not stirring up drama, let alone justifying the former Shakhtar coach’s behavior. We’re just trying to understand the reasons behind his emotional outburst — along with the consistently poor refereeing standards in France. Just a week before Lyon vs. Brest, Marseille’s president harshly criticized Ligue 1 referees and received a 15-match ban. Meanwhile, everyone except PSG regularly complains about officiating.

Fonseca’s side barely managed to beat Brest, thanks to an Alexandre Lacazette brace. His fury erupted in stoppage time when VAR called referee Benoît Millot to the monitor to review a potential penalty for Brest. Fonseca aggressively confronted the official, pressed his forehead against him, and shouted something that lip-readers still haven’t deciphered.

Ironically, Millot didn’t award the penalty in the end — due to an offside. Fonseca apologized after the game, and Lyon backed their coach.

"Fonseca insisted on apologizing, which is important. He admitted he lost his temper but later showed composure. Of course, we don’t like this incident, but we are proud of how he handled it afterward," Lyon general manager Laurent Prud’homme told RMC Sport.

However, his red card could now lead to a seven-month suspension. French football authorities are expected to classify his actions under "physical aggression towards a referee," which carries a lengthy ban.

Published by Patrick Jane
04.03.2025