Lucas Paqueta releases a furious statement criticising the FA after receiving red card against Liverpool on Sunday.
He took a swipe at the Football Association and accused them of a lack of psychological support when he was accused of spot-fixing.
The 28 year old West Ham midfielder said that this was a reason for his ‘ridiculous behaviour’ in getting sent off, shown two yellow cards for dissent including arguing with the referee.
Lucas went onto social media after the game to say his behaviour was reflected what he endured since the investigation launched in 2023.
“It’s ridiculous behaviour” ❌
Lucas Paquetá is SENT OFF for talking himself into a second booking. pic.twitter.com/Hgjy7kBck3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 30, 2025
On Twitter, he wrote, in reply to Sky Sports’ video of the sending off: “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.”
He added in another Twitter, in Portuguese: “I understand that now I have to come across as the villain, it’s hard to live with everything that was 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 that’s why I apologise to the fans and my team-mates.”
After being accused of four counts of deliberately getting himself booked in matches, facing a lifetime ban for spot-fixing, with charge hanging over him until he was cleared earlier this year.
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: ‘I’m not going to comment too much. First of all I’m going to speak to Lucas and try to understand his frustrations and his behaviour.’
On the team performance: “It’s a disappointing day. We felt we were in the game, we were controlling the game. A lack of concentration cost us.
“We fought against a good team. The final pass, the final cross wasn’t there.”
Is the result a step backwards: “No way, no way. We didn’t perform as well as should have. We’ll bounce back.”
Nuno, speaking to BBC MOTD: “I think we achieved good moments in spells and reached the spaces in the final third but the decision was not as accurate as we all wished.
On the red card for Lucas Paqueta: “Allow me to speak with Lucas first and try to understand why. Even with one man less the boys had a bit of fight. The spirit and the desire was there in a day that was very sad for us as a club. The passing of Billy Bonds affected everybody and we wanted to change the atmosphere with our actions. The boys gave it a fight so let’s keep on going.”
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, speaking to Sky Sports: ” They’re a good team with a lot of quality. We need to be more consistent. It was a difficult game for us. We tried to play counter-attack and did well. Second half…when Lucas weas sent off it was more difficult for us.
“No I don’t think [we’ve gone backwards]. We have quality in the squad to win much more games.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Lucas Paqueta releases a furious statement criticising the FA after his red card against Liverpool…
@WestHamSocial: You’re a human being with emotions like all of us, and we understand that. But you can’t continue using the betting allegations as a justification for poor conduct. We’ve all supported you, Lucas, but today you’ve let everyone down. You need to come back with a better attitude.
@theribman: If you’re not in the right headspace to play then DON’T ⚒️ You acted like a spoiled 10 year old ⚒️
@Dadsourjobtv: Lucas, today was not the day to be selfish. We have lost a club legend today who was disciplined and led by example on the pitch for others. although youve endured tough times, you are innocent. Today you are guilty of letting the entire club down by being petulant. Should have walked away and try and salvage a draw as a team… instead you played an individual game and everyone lost.
@westhamfan86: I, like all West Ham fans feel for you, for what you have had to endure for the past two years, but that doesn’t give you an excuse to behave like you did today. I get you were annoyed and frustrated and I agreed with why you were, but you should have just walked away.
@Roxburghxo: I think any football fan would know that the first yellow card was absolutely ridiculous and we would ALL be on your side. Your reaction can’t be justified and you should take accountability, we had momentum and your actions cost us. We go again, learn from it and do better ⚒️
@_WestHamReport: I completely get and sympathise with how the investigation has affected you Lucas. But you need to wear this one. We are in a dog fight to stay up. You’re a maverick and you play on the line but you need to know when to dial it down. Reflect and come back better, please.
@urbankop: Not relevant at all mate. You were in the referees face for 82 seconds on a yellow card, he was nice enough to let you scream at him for 30 seconds never mind over a minute. Nice one for the win x
@RobinNestBCFC: You’re a professional football who should know the rules by now. What you went through must’ve been tough but at the same time it doesn’t excuse this behaviour
@NUFCLC: All I will say is there’s always a reason a player this talented is at West Ham (genuinely no offence meant). Bloke is an absolute prick off the pitch clearly
@FinallyFornals: Lucas you CANNOT be serious? Maybe try apologising to the 60k fans that paid money to come and see us put up a fight against Liverpool. They didn’t pay to see you have a tantrum and ruin any chance we had of grabbing a point.
@ConnorWHU_: Is it weird I’m more pissed off at the rest of the squad for doing nothing to try and stop him? We’ve known for ages Paqueta has issues, especially issues with picking up yellows like this. The fact none of our players did anything (Even Alisson Becker did) shows how little they care. Ofc I’m pissed at Paqueta but our squad should know to pull him away from this situation.
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