Paulo Fonseca’s nine-month touchline ban has stunned the world of European football, but history shows it’s nothing extraordinary.
The Lyon coach had the book thrown at him by the LFP after he disgracefully went head-to-head with referee Benoit Millot during a 2-1 win over Brest.
Fonseca and OL owner John Textor have called the ban unfair, but it’s not even the worst in French football, as foot.mundo explains…
1 year – Cyril Jeunechamp
In 2012, Montpellier’s Jeunechamp called a L’Equipe reporter over to complain about a critical article and punched him in the face, resulting in the longest ban in Ligue 1 history.
9 months – Leonardo
Former PSG sporting director was given exactly the same punishment as Fonseca for a very similar incident where he pushed referee Alexandre Castro during half-time in a 1-1 draw with Valenciennes in 2013.
6 months – Brandao
Bastia striker Brandao received a heavy punishment for headbutting PSG’s Thiago Motta in 2014 and breaking his nose. He also received a five-month suspended prison sentence.
5 months – Gabriel Cichero
During a post-match brawl in 2011, Lens’ Cichero kicked a Bastia director in the face, leading to a triple fracture and lengthy ban.
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