Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca breaks down in tears as players hug him after massive ban

It’s all been a bit too much for Paulo Fonseca.

The Lyon manager, who was given an astonishing nine-month ban for his disgraceful tirade at a referee just four days ago, was back on the touchline as LFP bans don’t apply in Europe.

Leading OL out against Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League, Fonseca saw his side win 3-1 in the away leg of the last 16 tie, but it was what happened for the opener that left him in bits.

Nicolas Tagliafico broke the deadlock in the 30th minute and after his strike Lyon’s players ran to the touchline to mob their manager.

As the bodies dispersed, the Portuguese was seen looking emotional and then bowed his head to gather himself before wiping tears away.

Just a day earlier, the LFP had announced that Fonseca would be banned from his team’s dressing room until September and Ligue 1 touchlines until November.

The decision came after he berated referee Benoit Millot head-to-head for a late decision during a 2-1 win over Brest on March 2.

Fonseca, who turned 52 the day his ban was handed down, only arrived in Lyon in January having just been sacked by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AC Milan.

Such a ban led many to think the club would cut their losses early, but it’s not just OL’s players who are clearly smitten with their new coach.

Owner John Textor also backed the former Shakhtar Donetsk, Roma and Lille coach with a post on Instagram.

“Happy Birthday Paulo! I stand with you today and always,” the Crystal Palace co-owner wrote on Instagram.

“You made a mistake, your apology was sincere, and your punishment is clearly too severe.

“You are clearly the right man for OL and we shall persevere. Allez l’OL!”

Fonseca, on his part, responded to the ban before leading his side out in Europe.

“What can I say? It's very unfair,” he said on-pitch before kick-off. "I affirm once again that I never touched the referee. 

“It was not a physical attack. But I have the support of the club, that's the most important thing.

"Am I ready to work in these conditions? Yes, it's a new situation. We will study how we will do it. The day of the match is important, but the working week is too.”

Referee Millot, on his part, was asked by L'Equipe how he kept his cool.

"We are supported, in particular with mental and psychological coaches, which allow us to find small keys to defuse conflicts, try not to add to them," he said.

"The risk is unfortunately that there will be a mimicry the following weekend on the pitch. If a great coach behaves like that, in amateur football we will say to ourselves: 'I can do it too'.

"What we have seen is not good for football. With the risk that it will spread to the amateur world. At the professional level, the sides of the pitch are secured. But in the amateur world, we are within reach of a slap, a punch or a kick. ”