Referee Millot says Lyon boss tried to headbutt him

Referee Neoit Millot says Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca attempted to headbutt him during Sunday’s game with Brest.

Fonseca approached the official in anger while the VAR was examining a Brest claim for a penalty, thrusting his head into Millot’s on the touchline.

The spot-kick was not given but Fonseca had already lost control and was duly sent off. He could now face a touchline ban of up to seven months, according to reports in France, after allegedly breaching article eight of the Ligue 1 disciplinary code that relates to “intimidating or threatening behaviour”.

Fonseca aggression surprised referee

The Portuguese, who could also be sanctioned by his club, apologised afterwards but Millot admits he was stunned by Fonseca’s aggressive approach.

Record ban incoming. This is disgraceful behaviour. pic.twitter.com/KsLRcX7Gjz

— REFSIX (@refsix) March 2, 2025

The official told L’Equipe: “He jumped at me with an intimidating attitude, and I decided to send him off directly. It continued to spiral out of control.

“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.”

Fonseca follows Longoria into the dock

Fonseca’s actions came hot on the heels of Marseille president Pablo Longoria being hit with a 15-match ban for comments he made about referee Jeremy Stinat.

Longoria objected to Stinat being appointed to Marseille’s game against Auxerre, which they lost 3-0, blaming “true corruption” after defender Derek Cornelius was sent-off.