A number of West Ham United supporters have been reacting on social media to Lucas Perez’s apparent refusal to play against Everton on Sunday.
The Spaniard was due to be brought on at Goodison Park but was eventually snubbed for Michail Antonio, with many fans interpreting this as Perez refusing to play.
The 5’9″ star [Source: Transfermarkt] looked visibly irritated after not coming on, and Hammers supporters are not happy with what they perceive to be a lack of respect from the former Arsenal man.
Forever West Ham has rounded up some of the best tweets below.
Lucas Perez turns down warming up. @robsnodgrass7 stands straight up and says “I’ll warm up gaffer”. That’s the attitude I want to see at @WestHamUtd. Perez should be ashamed. #WHUFC
— Rik Moran (@TheRikMoran) September 16, 2018
If that turns out to be true, Perez must be released immediately. This is called refusal to work. He doesn't reject his weekly salary either. Such an idiot. #whufc #EVEWHU #COYI
— ⚒️ Andreas P. ⚒️ (@hobbes2208) September 16, 2018
Was totally unimpressed with Lucas Perez's attitude before this game, hasn't looked interested. If he's refused to come on, sack him and do him for breach of contract. Should never be seen near #WHUFC again…
— Richard Maher (@RichMaher93) September 16, 2018
Great result well done to all the squad, except Perez #whufc
— Ginger Pele⚒ (@kbailey120) September 16, 2018
Jog Lucas Perez on and stick Xande Silva or Nathan Holland on the bench. #whufc
— Jack Davies 父 (@JackEDavies) September 16, 2018
If true from Perez, let him play in Pl2 all october long. #WHUFC
— ⚒ FrencHammer ⚒ (@FrencHammer) September 16, 2018
Lucas Perez refusing to warm up? Send him straight back to arsenal. I wouldn’t even keep him on the bench send him down the tunnel. Awful behaviour. #whufc #COYI #EVEWHU
— Loldeantimber (@loldeantimber) September 16, 2018
What's this about Perez "refusing to warm up?" If that's the case, goodbye and good riddance. #WHUFC #EVEWHU
— Logan Krupa (@GoFlamesGo89) September 16, 2018
Perez refusing to warm up is the stupidest thing I've heard today. You want game time, get on the pitch and earn it.#westham #COYI #whufc
— IronLion (@scott161) September 16, 2018
OPINION
There has obviously been a bit of a misunderstanding between the Hammers fans and those involved in this incident. Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Perez didn’t refuse to play, but that he chose to bring on Antonio instead of him. That’s why Perez looked so angry in the aftermath of the substitution. West Ham supporters clearly thought that the player was refusing, though, so their reaction is perfectly understandable. No player should ever refuse to play for the team that employs them and that thousands of fans pay their hard earned cash to support. As that’s what people thought Perez did, you can see where the supporters were coming from with their anger here. Hopefully fans have seen that that wasn’t in fact the case and Perez doesn’t get any more criticism for something he didn’t actually do. There was miscommunication between the manager and the player, and that’s bled through to the fans. But really, Perez didn’t do anything wrong and hopefully the Hammers support realises that soon.