West Ham United manager Nuno Espirito Santo has opened up on the emotional state of Lucas Paqueta, admitting the midfielder is 'suffering' in the aftermath of his controversial red card against Liverpool and subsequent social media outburst aimed at the Football Association.
Apology and Fallout from Liverpool Defeat
The incident occurred during Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at the London Stadium. Paqueta was shown two quick yellow cards for dissent by referee Darren England, resulting in his dismissal. This moment of ill-discipline came after a highly challenging period for the Brazilian, who was only cleared of FA spot-fixing allegations in July following a two-year investigation.
In the heat of the moment after the match, Paqueta took to social media to criticise the FA, claiming a lack of 'psychological support' during his lengthy ordeal. However, Nuno confirmed on Tuesday that the player has since addressed the situation internally.
Internal Resolution and Managerial Support
'First of all, he apologised. He is aware of his mistake,' Nuno stated during his pre-match press conference. 'We as a club, first and foremost, we protect our own and that was how we sorted things among ourselves.'
The manager emphasised the human side of professional football, explaining that emotions can sometimes boil over on the pitch. He stressed that everyone deserves a chance to move forward, confirming Paqueta will miss the upcoming fixture against Manchester United but will be involved thereafter.
Looking Ahead After a Difficult Period
Nuno provided a candid assessment of Paqueta's current wellbeing, revealing the significant personal impact of the event. 'He is not okay, he is suffering. He is disappointed, is sad, but he realised the mistake that he made and he is willing to move forward,' the Portuguese coach admitted.
He pointed to the unseen pressures players face, adding, 'This is what sometimes people are not aware of, all the problems that the football players endure, but Lucas, I think, is going to overcome this situation.' The club's focus is now firmly on Thursday night's Premier League clash, hoping to draw a line under the controversy and support their key player through a turbulent chapter.
