Lyon head coach Paulo Fonseca is at risk of a seven-month suspension following an altercation with referee Neoit Millot during his side’s 2-1 Ligue 1 win over Brest on Sunday.

Fonseca was shown a straight red card after reacting angrily to a penalty review, with Millot citing his “intimidating attitude” as the reason for the dismissal.

The referee later claimed Fonseca attempted a headbutt before being restrained by Lyon players.

The Portuguese manager has since apologized, but under French league regulations, he could face a significant ban for his actions.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions over referee treatment in Ligue 1, with the French referees’ union recently warning of potential withdrawals due to increasing hostility towards match officials.