Lucas Paquetá’s Frustration Over Red Card
Lucas Paquetá, a player for West Ham United, recently expressed his frustrations following his red card during a match against Liverpool, calling the situation “ridiculous.” The red card came during a 2-0 defeat, where Paquetá received a second yellow for dissent shortly after being booked for a foul.
Impact on Career and Mental Health
This disqualification and the adverse effects on his career have been exacerbated by a prolonged investigation into alleged spot-fixing that cleared him of multiple charges earlier this year. Paquetá faced accusations of intentionally accumulating yellow cards in Premier League games from November 2022 to August 2023, which has reportedly taken a toll on his mental well-being.
Social Media Statement
In a post on social media shortly after the match, Paquetá voiced his concerns, highlighting the lack of psychological support provided during the challenging times he has endured: “It’s ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation,” he stated, emphasizing how the entire situation has impacted his mental health.
Response to the Situation
The Brazilian international further commented in Portuguese, acknowledging the pressure of being perceived as the ‘villain’ in this unfolding drama. He also assured his supporters and teammates that he would strive to overcome these challenges but did not shy away from accepting responsibility for his actions, apologizing for his expulsion.
Match Analysis and Future Comments
Commenting on the match, former West Ham goalkeeper Rob Green labeled Paquetá’s actions as “completely irresponsible” during his analysis on Sky Sports. Following the game, Liverpool’s star players Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo scored the goals that sealed the victory, leaving West Ham in a precarious 17th place on the Premier League table.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo stated that he would reserve comments on Paquetá’s red card until after discussing it with the player. It is worth noting that Paquetá had previously been notified regarding his conduct in October, amid the ongoing investigation by the Football Association (FA) into his alleged misconduct. ESPN has reached out to the FA for further clarification on the matter.
