Lyon proprietor John Textor has backed Paulo Fonseca to stay in his position as coach after describing his close to nine-month touchline ban as “clearly too extreme”.
Fonseca was handed the sanction yesterday after pushing his head into the face of referee Benoit Millot throughout Sunday’s sport with Brest.
The Portuguese approached the official in anger whereas the VAR was analyzing a Brest declare for a penalty. The spot-kick was not given however Fonseca had already misplaced management and was duly despatched off.
The Ligue de Soccer Skilled introduced his sanction yesterday, ruling Fonseca can be barred from accessing the dugout, the officers’ dressing rooms, and collaborating in any official features earlier than, throughout or after matches till November 30.
He’s additionally banned from going to the crew dressing room, pitch, tunnel and corridors resulting in these areas till September 15.
Lyon instantly mentioned they might attraction however there was additionally hypothesis the membership would look to chop ties with Fonseca regardless of him solely being appointed on the finish of January.
Paulo Fonseca handed Textor assist
Textor, nonetheless, has thrown his backing behind the previous AC Milan boss, who had his 52nd birthday yesterday.
Writing on Instagram, the American mentioned: “Completely happy birthday Paulo.
“I stand with you immediately and all the time. You made a mistake, your apology was honest and your punishment clearly too extreme.
“You’re the proper man for OL and we will persevere. Allez L’OL!”
Fonseca can be on the touchline in Romania tonight
Lyon are sixth in Ligue 1 and face Steaua Bucharest in Romania tonight within the first leg of their Europa League spherical of 16 tie, a sport during which Fonseca can perform his duties usually as his sanction at present applies to home video games solely.
Talking on Monday, Millot said he was shocked by Fonseca’s aggressive approach.
The official instructed L’Equipe: “He jumped at me with an intimidating angle, and I made a decision to ship him off immediately. It continued to spiral uncontrolled.
“He had an much more intense angle, making an attempt to ship a blow, in actual fact. A headbutt. I didn’t even have time to announce the ultimate resolution, which turned out to be not awarding a penalty. There gave the impression to be a slight contact of the nostril, to be exact.”
Longoria additionally in scorching water
Fonseca’s actions got here scorching on the heels of Marseille president Pablo Longoria being hit with a 15-match ban for feedback he made about referee Jeremy Stinat.
Longoria objected to Stinat being appointed to Marseille’s sport in opposition to Auxerre, which they misplaced 3-0, blaming “true corruption” after defender Derek Cornelius was sent-off.
