West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta broke down in tears after being shown a yellow card during his side’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
Paqueta, 27, was booked by referee Michael Oliver after fouling Mikey Moore to stop a counter-attack in the 73rd minute at the London Stadium.
But cameras then showed him using his shirt to wipe his eyes after an emotional reaction to the caution – and he was soon withdrawn by boss Graham Potter.
Youngster Moore looked to have overrun the ball before being caught by Paqueta and the referee deemed the challenge to be worthy of a yellow card.
Irritated with the decision, Paqueta began to wave his arms in frustration. Oliver then called him over to warn him over his conduct, but he refused to move.
Several of his team-mates were quick on the scene to calm him down and Paqueta was eventually coaxed over to the official.
Lucas Paqueta broke down in tears after being carded during West Ham’s draw with Tottenham
Paqueta was consoled by his team-mates after being booked for a challenge on Mikey Moore
He was seen wiping his eyes with his shirt during a brief stoppage in play on Sunday
There was a brief pause in play while the playmaker looked to compose himself.
Mail Sport reported last month that Paqueta’s FA spot-fixing hearing was not concluded during the three-week timeframe originally hoped – and he has now been forced to wait several weeks for the case to start up again.
He has been fighting to prove he is innocent of picking up yellow cards on purpose to influence betting outcomes and faces a lifetime ban if he is found guilty.
Sources said the turmoil has been mentally taxing on Paqueta, who has long maintained his innocence against the FA’s charges.
The hearing began on March 17 and was slated to potentially last three weeks.
However, owing to the large amount of evidence being evaluated, it is understood a fourth week is needed at least, with individuals close to the case saying they are now stuck in a hiatus. It is believed it may not resume until June.
Potter insisted there was nothing untoward about Paqueta’s reaction to his booking.
‘No, not really,’ he said. ‘I thought him and Tomas [Soucek] were just tiring a bit.
The 27-year-old remains under investigation by the FA for alleged spot-fixing
He has been fighting to prove he is innocent of picking up yellow cards on purpose during games to influence betting outcomes but faces a lifetime ban if he is found guilty by the panel
‘They’d had to go through a lot of work. I haven’t spoken to Lucas about that incident.
‘There’s no problem from my perspective. It’s just sometimes players get a bit upset when it doesn’t go their way. But he recovers well. He’s no problem.’
