Lucas Paqueta slams FA in extraordinary outburst after red card against Liverpool: 'Ridiculous' | OneFootball

West Ham star accuses football authorities of not providing ‘psychological support’ during spot-fixing investigation

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta took aim at the Football Association (FA) in an angry outburst following his sending off against Liverpool.

Both were issued for dissent, with Paqueta furious after a decision made by referee Darren England. He continued to argue angrily with the official after receiving a first yellow, with team-mates Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes unsuccessful in their attempts to guide him away.

Paqueta’s repeated protestations earned him a quick-fire second yellow and subsequent red, with the player then seen sarcastically applauding as he took time to leave the pitch, also complaining to the fourth official.

Paqueta has since criticised the FA in an extraordinary outburst on social media, accusing them of providing a lack of “psychological support” during a spot-fixing investigation.

The 28-year-old - who faced the prospect of a potential lifetime ban from football if found guilty - was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission back in July after an FA investigation that lasted for almost two years.

Last month, Paqueta was warned by the FA as to his future conduct after “failing to answer questions and provide information” during their investigation.

Quote-tweeting a Sky Sports clip that showed co-commentator Rob Green describing the behaviour that led to his sending off against Liverpool as “ridiculous”, Paqueta wrote on X: “It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation.

“Perhaps this ridiculous behavior is just a reflection of everything I've had to endure and, it seems, have to continue enduring! I'm sorry if I'm not perfect.”

Paqueta had initially written in a separate post in Portuguese: “I understand that now I have to come across as the villain; it's hard to live with everything that's been caused in my life and in my psyche!

“I'll keep trying to ensure they don't affect me even more. This doesn't justify my expulsion, and for that I apologise to the fans and my team-mates!”

Standard Sport has contacted the FA for a response to Paqueta’s comments.

The influential Paqueta returned against Liverpool after missing last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Bournemouth thanks to a one-match ban automatically incurred after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 3-2 win over Burnley before the international break.

He will now sit out again when West Ham travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday night, with Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo seeking a private conversation with Paqueta in a bid to better understand his actions.

"It's hard to play against a team like Liverpool with one man less," Nuno said.

"I will not go much further on comments of the situation. I hope you understand.

"Just allow me to speak with Lucas first and try to understand. I want to have a private conversation, to try to understand.

"I think it's unfair not to make any kind of comment without a chance to speak with him."