Referee breaks silence on shocking incident that could lead to SEVEN MONTH ban

Lyon chief Paulo Fonseca attempted to headbutt referee Benoit Millot, it’s claimed, wile the official watched the VAR screen during Lyon’s meeting with Brest at the weekend

Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca risks a seven-month ban after trying to headbutt a referee seeking to watch the VAR screen during a Ligue 1 clash.

“He jumped at me with an intimidating attitude,” said referee Benoit Millot. “We cannot tolerate behaviour like this.”

Lyon were winning 2-1 thanks to a double from Alexandre Lacazette when Millot went to review a Brest claim for a penalty for handball against fellow former Arsenal star Ashland Maitland-Niles. But the former Tottenham target attempted to stop him by shouting in his face – and then had to be restrained by his own players and security guards when he was shown a red card.

“It continued to spiral out of control,” Millot told L’Equipe. “He had an even more intense attitude, attempting to deliver a blow, in fact. A headbutt. I didn’t even have time to announce the final decision, which turned out to be not awarding a penalty.

“There seemed to be a slight contact of the nose, to be precise. It was shocking.”

Fonseca apologised in his post-match press conference but faces suspension when he is called before the Ligue 1 Disciplinary Committee tomorrow.

Marseille president Pablo Longoria was hit with a 15-game ban last week for accusing officials of corruption after his club’s defeat at Auxerre.

Former Marseille star Fabrizio Ravanelli, now acting as the club’s adviser, was also suspended for three weeks for criticising match referee Jérémy Stinat. Stinat said he received death threats after the game and the French referees union threatened to go on strike.

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