Duda Fournier, the wife of Lucas Paqueta, made headlines with an emotional rant on social media in defence of her husband.
- Hammers News exclusive
Fournier, a Brazilian fitness blogger and influencer, took to Instagram after seeing husband Lucas Paqueta break down in tears during West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Spurs.
Usually a London derby between West Ham and Tottenham is no place for shrinking violets.
But given the disastrous seasons being played out by the Hammers and Tottenham, this one was as tame as they come.
The atmosphere in the stands reflected the irrelevance of the game itself.
There was nothing to play for but saving face and even then West Ham failed given Tottenham played a B team who were only interested in avoiding injury with a place in a Europa League final squad on the horizon.
A strange derby took an ever stranger twist when West Ham ace Paqueta burst into tears after being booked for a challenge on Yves Bissouma.
The Tottenham midfielder had spent most of the afternoon rolling around trying to get West Ham players booked.
Why Lucas Paqueta broke down in tears during Tottenham clash
And he achieved just that despite replays suggesting he was barely – if at all – touched as Paqueta slid in to try and win the ball back for the Hammers.
The Brazilian magnifico was incandescent at being shown a yellow card, trying to make it clear to referee Michael Oliver that he had either won the ball or not touched the player.
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen took charge of the situation, talking Paqueta down from his tearful rage.
As the cameras zoomed in Paqueta was clearly in floods of tears and struggling to regain his composure.
In truth he had endured a difficult game, giving the ball away on several occasions. But that did not stop the Brazil international from giving his all.
Graham Potter unsurprisingly subbed Paqueta off seven minutes after he started crying.
Most put two and two together and assumed, given the tears followed yet another yellow card, that Paqueta had finally broken over the spot-fixing scandal that has hung above his head like a dark cloud since August 2023.
That was when an FA investigation was announced looking at four specific bookings Paqueta received which it is alleged illegally influenced the betting market.
It was not until the following April – over a year ago – that Paqueta was formally charged.
And now he must wait until at least June to discover his fate after a three-week trial in March was adjourned until then.
After the game his wife Fournier took to her Instagram to speak up for Paqueta.
Many speculated who it was aimed at — and now it’s been clarified who she was really addressing in her passionate post.
Who Duda Fournier’s furious Instagram rant was really aimed at
“I’ve never said anything here, and maybe I shouldn’t have (remained silent)!” Fournier said.
“My husband has a posture and strength that I admire and that IMPRESSES me! We’ve been living this nightmare for two years and he’s ALWAYS strong… he’s always had it in his head that he would only defend himself at the right time and place.
“There’s NOTHING against him. Have you never noticed that? Anyway, God knows everything, and only HE knows why we’re going through this! “And only because of HIM are we well and living happily as a family! I just wish people would respect him.. People are mean and unfair, without knowing ANYTHING!”
Hammers News reported a number of exclusives about the Paqueta trial from top sources close to the player.
Now one of those sources, who cannot be named to protect relationships, has clarified the target of Fournier’s rant.
After she spoke out, many West Ham fans turned on one another on social media.
There was a belief among some that Fournier’s passionate outburst was aimed at Hammers fans who have been critical of Paqueta or made light of the situation with jokes online every time the £51m record signing receives a booking.
The tabloids have sensationally suggested Paqueta’s tears were because he knows he could face a lifetime ban if found guilty.
But a source close to the player’s camp has reassured Hammers News that Fournier and Paqueta love West Ham fans.
And that in fact the target of the rant was certainly not them or anyone connected with the club – who have stood by him throughout – but rather The FA and journalists who reported leaks with details of the case against Paqueta before he had a fair trial.
Earlier this season, after one such leak, Paqueta spoke out on social media himself and instructed his lawyers to complain to The FA and ask how the information got into the press – as reported by the likes of The Guardian at the time.
Paqueta’s wife was not talking about West Ham fans in rant
“Lucas is an emotional guy and always has been but that wasn’t nice to see for any of us,” the source told Hammers News.
“As Duda said she has bitten her tongue on the situation for nearly two years now, which has not been easy at times given some of the stuff that has been said and written about Lucas.
“But this was very much a message to The FA, who as we know are pushing for a lifetime ban – a fact that was leaked to a Sky Sports News journalist when the trial date was set back in March.
“It was one of several leaks to the press about the case against him, something he and Duda, and the legal team, feel has been very unfair.
“Lucas said as much himself in the one time he has really spoken out about things. This is a wife doing what most would do in a similar situation and defending the person you love.
“The family know West Ham fans are behind them and appreciate it very much. Of course you get the trolls, fans of other clubs etc but this was really a message born of pent up anger and frustration aimed at The FA and the press who have been leaked details painting Lucas in a certain way before he’s had a fair hearing.”
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