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Lucas Paqueta admitted his frustration boiled over during West Ham’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool, describing the red card he received late in the game as a release of what he has endured over the past two years.
The midfielder was dismissed in the closing stages at the London Stadium after two quick yellow cards for dissent, reacting strongly to a foul given against his side.
It was only his first match back after serving a suspension for five cautions, having missed the draw with Bournemouth the previous weekend.
Paqueta later addressed the incident on X, replying to comments from former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green, who had called his actions “ridiculous behaviour” on Sky Sports.
“It’s ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation,” Paqueta wrote.
“Perhaps this ridiculous behaviour 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 apologised to his team-mates and supporters but suggested the emotional weight of recent events played a part.
The 28-year-old was cleared in July of spot-fixing allegations after a lengthy FA investigation which began in 2023.
He had been at risk of a lifetime ban from the Premier League, before an independent commission deemed four charges “not proven”, though he was reprimanded for failing to fully comply with the inquiry.
“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,” he added in Portuguese.
“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.”
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he would speak to Paqueta privately before commenting further.
“I’m not going to comment too much,” he said. “First of all I’m going to speak to Lucas and try to understand his frustrations and his behaviour.”
Paqueta joined West Ham in 2022 from Lyon and played a key role in the club’s Europa Conference League triumph.
A move to Manchester City appeared close last summer before the FA case emerged, halting any transfer discussions.
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