WEST HAM HAVE MADE A DECISION ON LUCAS PAQUETÁ FUTURE AT THE CLUB AFTER RED CARD INCIDENT

When Lucas Paquetá was shown a red card in the closing stages of West Ham United’s 2–0 home defeat to Liverpool FC, few imagined the fallout would shake up his standing at the club so profoundly. But within hours, whispers from inside the club’s corridors suggested this might not be just another suspension — it could well mark a turning point in Paquetá’s West Ham career.

—

🔴 The Flashpoint: What Happened

The match was evenly poised for much of the second half. West Ham trailed 1–0 and were still pushing for an equalizer when, in the 84th minute, Paquetá earned a yellow card following a contested foul call. Frustration evidently boiled over: repeatedly arguing at the referee, refusing to be calmed by teammates, and ultimately picking up a second booking — triggering a straight red.

Playing the final minutes with ten men, West Ham conceded again — Liverpool’s second goal coming shortly after the dismissal sealed the result. The red card not only ended Paquetá’s evening but extinguished whatever faint hopes the Hammers had of salvaging a point.

That in itself would have been serious — but what followed in the aftermath made the situation explosive.

—

📢 Outburst & Apology: Paquetá Speaks Out

Far from retreating into silence, Paquetá took to social media — not just to express regret, but to level a harsh, unexpected critique at football’s governing establishment. In a now-viral post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:

> “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 … I’m sorry if I’m not perfect.”

The “two-year ordeal” he refers to is the lengthy investigation by Football Association (FA) — into alleged spot-fixing involving suspicious bookings. Paquetá was cleared of the most serious charges in July 2025, but admitted he had committed two procedural breaches. He claims the mental toll of that probe, the media scrutiny, and the loss of a potential high-value transfer negatively impacted his psyche — and ultimately contributed to his dramatic meltdown against Liverpool.

In a further post, he added a quasi-apology: “I understand that now I have to come across as the villain… This does not justify my expulsion and for that I apologise to the fans and my teammates.”

But by that point, he had already crossed a line — at least in many supporters’ eyes.

—

🏛️ West Ham’s Reaction: Internal Call Is Underway

Inside West Ham, the reaction has been swift. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo declined to condemn his player publicly immediately after the match — stating he wanted first to speak with Paquetá privately.

However, multiple club insiders reportedly believe the red-card was more than just a case of on-pitch heat-of-the-moment frustration. Given the nature of the dissent — sustained, loud, and ignoring teammates’ attempts to calm him down — some see it as a breach of professionalism and leadership standards.

Given these dynamics, whispers suggest the club is seriously considering limiting his role — not only as punishment for this incident but as a step to preserve overall squad discipline and reputation. With Paquetá under contract until 2027, any move could also be a strategic positioning: either a midseason sale or a reshuffling of his role within the squad.

—

⚠️ Bigger Picture: Mental Health, Reputation & Risk

This incident highlights deeper issues — mental health of players, impact of long-running investigations, reputational risk, and pressure on clubs.

Paquetá’s own public outcry about lack of “psychological support” from the FA has sparked debate across media and fan forums. For a player who was effectively exonerated of spot-fixing — albeit reprimanded for procedural breaches — the emotional and reputational toll has clearly lingered.

But many fans and pundits have responded harshly: for them, no background — however traumatic — justifies walking oneself into a red card, especially for dissent. A momentary lapse of judgment arguably undermined not only a match, but years of rebuilding trust and form.

Should West Ham decide to offload him, questions will remain: is this just a response to a single incident — or a sign he can no longer be relied upon under pressure?

—

📅 What’s Next for Paquetá — and West Ham

Short-Term Consequences

Automatic suspension for at least the next Premier League match because of the red card.

Additional internal disciplinary discussions at West Ham; possible reduction of playing time if deemed necessary.

Medium-Term Uncertainty

Club might choose to ease him back slowly — or sideline him until he demonstrates better composure.

Potential loss of starting spot or diminished role, especially if coach and management view him as a liability.

Long-Term Outlook

With his contract running until 2027: West Ham could explore a midseason sale — particularly if they receive acceptable offers. Reports suggest interest may resurface given his midfield quality.

Alternatively, he might need to rebuild trust — but that would require sustained discipline, mental resilience, and consistently high performance.

—

🧠 Verdict: Has West Ham Made Its Decision Yet?

Not officially. As of now, no public statement has declared Paquetá’s long-term fate. But the signals are clear:

The club isn’t treating this as a simple red-card moment.

Management appears determined to weigh not just the act but the context — what led him to that moment.

Discipline, reputation, and stability seem to weigh more heavily right now than raw talent or past service.

In other words: the decision may not have been finalized — but it’s heading in a direction that could fundamentally reshape Paquetá’s future at West Ham.

This red card, and the bitter fallout, might just mark the beginning of the end of the midfielder’s chapter at the London Stadium.