Lucas Paqueta was shown a red card in Liverpool's 2-0 win at West Ham and has now criticised the FA over lack of support during his two-year betting investigation
18:08, 30 Nov 2025Updated 18:09, 30 Nov 2025
Lucas Paqueta is held back by Liverpool and West Ham players
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Lucas Paqueta has spoken out after receiving a bizarre red card from referee Darren England at the London Stadium during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over West Ham.
Goals from Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo secured the triumph for Liverpool on the day. Paqueta's frustration boiled over when play was halted for an injury, and his protests went on far too long.
"It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation," he wrote on X. "Perhaps this ridiculous behavior 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."
Lucas Paqueta
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Lucas Paqueta was given two yellow cards for dissent(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Liverpool were already ahead at that stage of the match. Any slim chance of a West Ham fightback vanished when Paqueta, who had been performing well for Nuno Espirito Santo's team, received his dismissal.
Paqueta was exonerated of spot-fixing allegations by an independent regulatory commission in July this year, nearly two years after the Football Association (FA) began investigating him, reports Liverpool.com.
The probe commenced in August 2023, with the Brazilian midfielder being charged in May last year for supposedly receiving bookings on purpose "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market".
Paqueta, now 28, was staring at a potential lifetime suspension if convicted. Nevertheless, the regulatory commission ruled the four charges against him as "not proven" after a hearing.
The charges were linked to a Premier League match against Leicester City on 12 November 2022, and games in 2023 against Aston Villa on 12 March, Leeds United on 21 May and Bournemouth on 12 August.
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"Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations," Paqueta declared after being cleared at the hearing.
"I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face.
"To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me - thank you for everything."