French Sports Minister Marie Barsacq has voiced her support for the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to suspend Olympique Lyonnais coach Paulo Fonseca for nine months following his outburst towards referee Benoît Millot.
Fonseca, the Portuguese manager, has strongly disagreed with the severe punishment, and Lyon has rallied around their head coach. The squad showed their support for Fonseca during their 3-1 victory over FCSB, and the club is expected to appeal his sanction.
After the match Fonseca appeared defiant, stating, “It’s normal that I’m punished. But to have nine months of punishment for a situation which I immediately apologised for?” He also suggested that a “media circus” had blown the situation out of proportion.
However, Brasacq believes that the punishment is fair. In an interview, she said, “The sanction makes sense. The Disciplinary Committee is sending a message of zero tolerance for all attacks on referees.”
She continued, “I obviously welcome the need to protect the refereeing body. It’s essential. It must also help to regain the image of football. It’s absolutely essential today that these sanctions have a deterrent effect.”
Olympique de Marseille have also been given lengthy suspensions in recent weeks. The president of the club, Pablo Longoria, received a 15-game ban following his comments after a match, while Marseille announced they are appealing the 3-month suspension given to sporting director Medhi Benatia.