paulo-fonseca(C)Getty Images
Harry Sherlock

'Political execution' - Kateryna Fonseca slams 'scandalous' decision to suspend husband Paulo for nine months following Lyon manager's confrontation with referee

Paulo Fonseca's wife, Kateryna, has claimed her husband has been the victim of a "political execution" after he was suspended for nine months.

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  • Fonseca banned for referee clash
  • Pushed his head towards official
  • Suspended for the next nine months
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Fonseca has been banned for a staggering nine months after a clash with a referee during Lyon's 2-1 win over Brest earlier in March. He was sent off during the game, and immediately appeared to push his head towards the official. Now, his wife has come to his defence.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    On Wednesday, the French Professional Football League banned Fonseca from sitting on the bench, accessing the dressing room of officials, and from carrying out "official functions". He is also unable to access Lyon's dressing room until September, and cannot be back on the touchline until November. Lyon claimed the punishment was "extreme".

  • WHAT KATERYNA FONSECA SAID

    Fonseca's wife posted on Instagram: "9 months for a few seconds of screaming? An absurd, absolutely scandalous, unprecedented decision. Fair justice, please, not a political execution."

    Kateryna Fonseca Instagram@katerynafonseca
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    WHAT NEXT?

    Fonseca's Lyon side play FCSB in the Europa League on Thursday evening.