West Ham: Lucas Paqueta 'not okay' but moving forward after red card and FA outburst | OneFootball

Brazilian midfielder has apologised after sending off against Liverpool, which was followed by social media rant

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has said that Lucas Paqueta is “not okay” and will be offered full support by the club after his recent red card and comments on social media.

The Brazilian midfielder was unhappy after a decision made by referee Darren England and was carded for his initial protestations.

He continued to argue angrily with the official after receiving a first yellow, and was subsequently sent off, with his team-mates and fellow countryman Alisson failing to calm him down.

Paqueta applauded sarcastically as he left the pitch before taking to social media after the game to criticise the Football Association (FA) in an extraordinary outburst.

The 28-year-old, who was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July after a near two-year investigation by the FA, accusing English football’s governing body of providing a lack of “psychological support” during the investigation.

Quote-tweeting a Sky Sports clip that showed co-commentator Rob Green describing the behaviour that led to his dismissal against Liverpool as “ridiculous”, Paqueta, who had only just returned from a one-match ban, 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 contacted the FA for a response to Paqueta’s comments.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of West Ham’s next game against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Thursday night, which Paqueta will miss through suspension, Nuno admitted the player was “suffering” and had apologised for his behaviour against Liverpool.

“I spoke to Lucas, and he spoke not only with me but with all his team-mates,” Nuno said. “First of all, he apologised. He’s aware of his mistake but we, as a club first and foremost, protect our own and solve things among ourselves.

Dismissal: Paqueta picked up two yellow cards inside a minute for dissent during the closing stages against Liverpool

AFP via Getty Images

“Everybody is aware that mistakes can happen inside the football pitch, emotions sometimes you can’t control them, but at the same time everybody has a chance [to make up for it].

“So we move on. Lucas will be out of the game against Man United but he will be involved in the next one [against Brighton].”

Nuno continued: “He’s not okay. He’s suffering. He’s disappointed. He’s sad. He’s realised the mistake that he’s made and he’s going to look to move forward.

“Sometimes people aren’t aware of all the problems that football players endure but Lucas is going to overcome the situation.

“I think it [the investigation] is affecting him but he is willing to move forward, to try and put this aside and continue to play football in the way that he does.

“What I can assure you is that here at the club we have all the support that the players need. We have processes in the club that help and we are willing to provide assistance here in the club.”

Nuno added that he believed Paqueta was “definitely” happy at West Ham and does not think that previous speculation over a move to Manchester City is affecting him.

“I think that is over [the links to City],” he said. “It is finished, that is clear.

“We did what we had to do, we had a good conversation. The squad supports Lucas. This is what is more important, that his team-mates recognise and support him. So we move forward.”