LUCAS PAQUETA released a furious 46-word statement after being sent off against Liverpool.
The West Ham star saw red after complaining to the referee, who had just booked him for a foul.
Paqueta’s talking saw him quickly receive a second yellow and an early bath.
West Ham went on to lose the Premier League clash 2-0.
But Paqueta has now released a statement slamming footy chiefs.
It read: “It’s ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation.
BEAUTY
Win a 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan + £2,000 cash or £33k cash from just 21p with our code
“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.”
Paqueta’s statement came after he escaped a lifetime ban for spot-fixing charges.
An independent regulatory commission found the allegations to not be proven.
However, he was found guilty of two breaches of FA rules.
He was sanctioned for failing to comply with a requirement to answer questions and provide information to an investigation.
But Paqueta escaped a hefty fine for the charges after both breaches were found to be proven.
The FA confirmed that Paqueta has been hit with a reprimand and a warning over his future conduct.
He wasn’t fined but had to pay 10 per cent of the costs of the Regulatory Commission while the remainder will be paid by the FA.
The reasons behind the lower-end sanction included factors such as Paqueta’s reliance on legal advice.
He was also compliant by eventually providing a witness statement which set out his relationship with bettors.
The midfielder had also provided his mobile devices for the investigation.
Paqueta was also boosted by his clean record and the commission also accounted for the collapse of his potential move to Manchester City in 2023.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Read the full article here
