<p>Olympique Lyonnais coach Paulo Fonseca has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League (LFP), following a confrontation with referee Benoit Millot during his team's recent 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.</p><p>The LFP said in a statement on Wednesday that Fonseca will be barred from accessing the bench, the officials' dressing rooms, and participating in any official functions before, during, or after matches until November 30.</p><p>Fonseca was shown a straight red card after a review of a potential penalty for Brest - which the Brittany side were not awarded - for his "intimidating attitude", according to Millot.</p><p>"He came at me with an intimidating attitude and I decided to send him off straight away. It got out of hand," Millot told French sports daily <em>L'Equipe</em>.</p>.UCL | Brahim strike gives Real Madrid 2-1 first-leg lead over Atletico.<p>Fonseca apologised for his outburst, which ended when Lyon players pushed him away from the referee.</p><p>Lyon said they were concerned by the severity and rapid sanction imposed on Fonseca.</p><p>They criticised the decision, saying that the manager was not judged solely on his actions, which they described as an emotional reaction without intent to harm the referee.</p><p>"In light of a sanction that seems to have been dictated by the negative context affecting French refereeing, (Lyon) announced that it is studying all possible avenues of appeal," the Ligue 1 club said in a statement.</p><p>The French referees' union said last week its members would exercise their right to resign if they or their families were in danger after a match official faced an "outpouring of hatred" following comments made by Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria.</p>
<p>Olympique Lyonnais coach Paulo Fonseca has been suspended for nine months by the French Professional Football League (LFP), following a confrontation with referee Benoit Millot during his team's recent 2-1 Ligue 1 victory over Brest.</p><p>The LFP said in a statement on Wednesday that Fonseca will be barred from accessing the bench, the officials' dressing rooms, and participating in any official functions before, during, or after matches until November 30.</p><p>Fonseca was shown a straight red card after a review of a potential penalty for Brest - which the Brittany side were not awarded - for his "intimidating attitude", according to Millot.</p><p>"He came at me with an intimidating attitude and I decided to send him off straight away. It got out of hand," Millot told French sports daily <em>L'Equipe</em>.</p>.UCL | Brahim strike gives Real Madrid 2-1 first-leg lead over Atletico.<p>Fonseca apologised for his outburst, which ended when Lyon players pushed him away from the referee.</p><p>Lyon said they were concerned by the severity and rapid sanction imposed on Fonseca.</p><p>They criticised the decision, saying that the manager was not judged solely on his actions, which they described as an emotional reaction without intent to harm the referee.</p><p>"In light of a sanction that seems to have been dictated by the negative context affecting French refereeing, (Lyon) announced that it is studying all possible avenues of appeal," the Ligue 1 club said in a statement.</p><p>The French referees' union said last week its members would exercise their right to resign if they or their families were in danger after a match official faced an "outpouring of hatred" following comments made by Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria.</p>