IT HAS BEEN a pretty torrid few days for West Ham and their beleaguered number 10. The red card sending off and fan backlash along with a one game ban has put the Brazilian back into the headlines for all the wrong reasons and many fans hold him responsible for wrecking the Irons’ chances of salvaging a point against Liverpool.
Nuno Espirito Santo has made it quite clear that his role is to protect Paquetá rather than vilify: suggesting that the midfielder had made his apologies to his team mates, the Hammers coach attempted to draw a line under events, claiming”West Ham have ‘moved on’ from Lucas Paqueta red card”.
In a move that will certainly create sighs of relief within the management and from the player himself, the FA have reached their own decision on further sanctions following his sarcastic applause having been sent off. According to the standard.co.uk:
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Many had expected a longer ban to follow but perhaps some common sense has been applied by the FA in an attempt to diffuse the situation. It means Paqueta will be free to participate in the upcoming games against Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City, which had looked under threat after his ‘red mist’ descended at the weekend.
Good news for Nuno, who gets his ‘number 10’ back: With the January transfer window now just around the corner, you have to wonder for how long.