Paquetá critical of lack of support during spot-fixing case
‘It’s ridiculous to have your life affected for two years’
West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá has accused the football authorities of a lack of support in an extraordinary outburst after he was sent off against Liverpool. The Brazil midfielder was shown two yellow cards for dissent in quick succession by the referee Darren England during his side’s 2-0 defeat at the London Stadium.
Paquetá had a Football Association investigation into spot-fixing allegations hanging over him for two years after he was accused of getting booked deliberately for betting purposes. He was cleared of the charges in July, but the case cost him a likely move to Manchester City two summers ago.
The 28-year-old posted on social media criticising the football authorities for not providing him with “psychological support”. He wrote on X: “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 teammates!”
