West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has publicly criticized the Football Association (FA) following his recent sending-off in a Premier League match against Liverpool. The Brazilian international took to social media to express his frustration, accusing the FA of failing to provide adequate "psychological support" during the lengthy investigation into alleged spot-fixing.
Paqueta's outburst follows a tumultuous period in his career, marked by a nearly two-year FA investigation into claims that he intentionally sought yellow cards in multiple Premier League games to influence betting markets. The investigation, which began in August 2023, cast a shadow over his performances and even stalled a potential £85 million transfer to Manchester City.
In May 2024, the FA formally charged Paqueta with misconduct, alleging breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. The charges related to his conduct in matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth, with the FA claiming he deliberately sought bookings "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market". He was also charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 for allegedly failing to cooperate with the investigation. Paqueta vehemently denied all charges, vowing to "fight with every breath to clear my name".
In July 2025, Paqueta was cleared of the most serious accusations related to spot-fixing. However, he was found guilty of breaching rules regarding cooperation with the FA's investigation, specifically for not providing complete responses and information when requested. He received a warning regarding his future conduct. West Ham United acknowledged the FA's statement, expressing their satisfaction that the matter was "finally closed".
The recent incident against Liverpool saw Paqueta receive two yellow cards in quick succession for dissent, resulting in his dismissal. This sparked his emotional response on social media, where he lamented the impact of the investigation on his mental well-being and criticized the FA's lack of support.
Writing in Portuguese on X, Paqueta initially acknowledged the perception of him as a "villain" and the difficulty of coping with the situation's impact on his life and psyche. He later responded to a post highlighting his "ridiculous behaviour" by stating, "It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation. 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".
West Ham's head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, acknowledged the difficulty of playing with ten men following Paqueta's dismissal, with Liverpool ultimately extending their lead.
Paqueta's outburst has reignited the debate surrounding the mental health support available to professional footballers, particularly during periods of intense scrutiny and investigation. His case highlights the potential toll that lengthy disciplinary proceedings can have on players and raises questions about the responsibilities of governing bodies in providing adequate welfare and guidance.
