Paulo Fonseca’s touchline ban to be upheld | OneFootball

A press release from Olympique Lyonnais suggests that Paulo Fonseca’s nine-month touchline ban will be upheld by the authorities, despite an appeal.

Fonseca was handed a nine-month ban for confronting referee Benoît Millot in the dying moments of Olympique Lyonnais’ 2-1 victory over Stade Brestois in March. The suspension handed down by the LFP means that the Lyon manager is banned from the touchline until November 30. The Portuguese manager is even banned from entering the dressing room before, during and after the game, until September 15th.

Lyon were critical of the LFP’s ban for Fonseca, appointed at the end of January and stated that they would appeal. OL had been set to make their appeal through the LFP. However, it was instead made through the Comité National Olympique du Sport Français (CNOSF) in order to find a mediation.

However, during the appeal, which took place towards the end of the Ligue 1 campaign, Fonseca was not given the chance to defend himself, something he is frustrated about. As a result, he was not confident that the ban would be overturned. OL have now denounced the procedure, stating that the authorities “refused to engage in discussion”. The communiqué, therefore, suggests that they have been made aware of the failure of the appeal.

Fonseca, therefore, will start next season once again far from the touchline and from the dressing room.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle