VIDEO: Lyon players swarm Paulo Fonseca during Europa League celebrations in show of unity for head coach after nine-month suspension as stars vow to 'give everything' for boss

Fonseca has been suspended from his matchday responsibilities for nearly nine months after furiously confronting a referee. During Les Gones' 2-1 victory over Brest on March 2, the Lyon manager was sent off for pushing his face in the direction of official Benoit Millot. During Lyon's Europa League win over Steaua Bucuresti, Fonseca was reduced to tears after his players swarmed around him after a goal.

After the match, Lyon winger Rayan Cherki said: "We really have a very good relationship with the coach. It affected us when we saw his suspension. We were a little in a feeling of injustice before the match, we wanted to give everything for him. He gives us joy, good humor, and confidence. And we want to give it back to him because he is a very good person and he deserves it. Today, this victory is 100% for the coach. It is for no one else but him."

Malick Fofana added: "He is always behind us. We are a group, we support each other. He will always be there, and we too will help him."

Lucas Perri insisted: "We are all with the coach for everything that happened. The coach is a good person. It is something that happens in football. But you have to work for OL, always."

The Portuguese coach will only be able to take to the touchline in Lyon's European affairs but will not be able to do so in French football until November 9.