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7 months ago
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West Ham fans have questioned Lucas Paqueta after the Brazilian was nowhere to be seen as they crashed out of the Europa League to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday night.
The Brazilian was suspended for the second leg after picking up a booking in Germany last week.
A number of players who were unavailable for the match were pictured in the stands to watch the Hammers, including the injured Alphonse Areola, the suspended Emerson Palmieri and Flynn Downes, who made the 160-mile round trip from Southampton where he is on loan.
However, Paqueta, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, was not seen in the stands with his team-mates - as West Ham drew 1-1 on the evening but crashed out 3-1 on aggregate.
A West Ham fan account on X, wrote: 'Must say, it's very poor that Lucas Paqueta failed to show up to watch the game tonight, yet his other teammates who didn't play and Flynn Downes who is out on loan, did attend.'
West Ham fans have hit out at Lucas Paqueta after he didn't appear to be in attendance for their Europa League clash with Bayer Leverkusen at the London Stadium
Paqueta was suspended for the second-leg after picking up a yellow in Germany last week
Fans pointed out other West Ham players who made the game, including Flynn Downes (pictured) who made the 160 mile round-trip from Southampton where he is on loan
West Ham fans said it was 'poor' that Paqueta failed to show up to watch the game on Thursday
After the match, Paqueta posted this picture to his Instagram stories with the word 'pride'
Another fan commented: 'Where was Paqueta tonight? Areola was there. Emerson was there. Even Flynn Downes was there.
'And we saw tonight what JWP (James Ward-Prowse in the #10 doing what he's good at is like. And it was very good.'
A third person said: 'I think it speaks volumes that Paqueta failed to attend our biggest game of the season.'
@JackWHU mentioned the players that did show up for the game despite not playing, and acknowledged Konstantinos Mavropanos not being present with an injury which they said 'doesn't matter'.
They added: 'Paqueta banned - didn't show up. Get him out of my club.'
One fan though did support Paqueta, mentioning the Brazilian's social media post after the game, in which he said he was 'proud' of the team.
They commented: 'A lot is being made about Paqueta not being there, but he was rarely there if at all when injured & and often posting himself watching at home with his family.
'Also straight after stating his pride & love in the team. We need a big finish & all players driving us forward.'
Emerson Palmieri and Alphonse Areola were also pictured in attendance for the game
The Brazilian was set to join Man City at the end of last season before Mail Sport revealed the FA had launched an investigation into suspicious betting patterns surrounding three yellow cards Paqueta received last year.
The move collapsed and Paqueta remained at West Ham where he has starred under David Moyes this season.
The fallout from the ongoing investigation also saw Paqueta cast out of Brazil's national team in August before being re-called for the first time in March under new head coach Dorival Junior.
Paqueta has recently been linked with a move to Man City after the move collapsed last year
Paqueta has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 38 games in all competitions
Paqueta, who is believed to deny any wrongdoing, spoke out for the first time on the alleged betting scandal recently where he hailed Moyes' 'essential support' during what has been a testing period.
Reports earlier this month suggested the move to Man City is back on after coming to an agreement on wage demands ahead of a move.
However, City and West Ham are still waiting on the FA's verdict into the betting probe with the player's future currently stuck in limbo.
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