"The 28-year-old midfielder, who was left in limbo for two years during a Football Association investigation into spot-fixing allegations, was shown two yellow cards, both for dissent, within seconds of one another by the referee Darren England. Players from both sides had tried to cool Paqueta's protests following the initial caution, but after seemingly being successfully ushered away, he returned to harangue the official once more and was sent off."
"I understand that now I have to come across as the villain; it's hard to live with everything that's been caused in my life and in my psyche! I'll keep trying to ensure they don't affect me even more. This doesn't justify my expulsion, and for that I apologise to the fans and my teammates!"
"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."
Lucas Paqueta criticised a lack of psychological support from football authorities after being sent off late in West Ham's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool. He endured a two-year period of uncertainty during an FA spot-fixing investigation, was cleared in July, and a proposed £70m move to Manchester City stalled. Paqueta received two quick yellow cards for dissent after confronting referee Darren England despite teammates trying to calm him. He apologised to fans and teammates, said the ordeal affected his psyche, and wrote that his life and career were harmed without federation psychological support. West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo lamented playing with 10 men.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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