West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta strongly criticised the Football Association (FA) following his red card in the 2-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. He accused the FA of neglecting to provide him with sufficient psychological support during an ongoing spot-fixing investigation.
Paqueta expressed frustration over the FA's stance, highlighting the emotional toll the probe had taken on him. He pointed out that instead of support, he felt isolated and pressured during this difficult period.
"The lack of backing from the FA has been very disappointing. It’s been a tough time, and I expected more understanding," Paqueta said.
The midfielder’s red card occurred as tensions ran high amid the spotlight of the investigation, which has cast a shadow over his recent performances. Fans and pundits debated whether the lack of official support contributed to his visible distress and subsequent disciplinary issues on the pitch.
Paqueta’s comments have sparked a conversation about how sports governing bodies handle athletes undergoing investigations or personal crises, questioning the adequacy of their mental health and emotional support frameworks.
Paqueta’s critique highlights the critical need for football associations to combine disciplinary actions with comprehensive player welfare, especially during stressful investigations.