Lucas Perez denies substitution allegations and explains all

Lucas Perez says “false information” from the media implied he refused to come on as a substitute in West Ham’s 3-1 win at Everton on Sunday.

The 30-year-old striker, who started on the bench at Goodison Park, was in line to replace the injured Marko Arnautovic, but boss Manuel Pellegrini opted to put Michail Antonio on instead.

That resulted in Sky Sports commentators noting that the Spanish forward was shaking his head when apparently asked to warm up ready to be subbed on for Arnautovic.

Pellegrini said after the game that he did not use Perez because “Antonio was already ready, so played”.

And Perez, has echoed those thoughts and said it was “quicker” for Antonio to play as he was ready.

“Given the false information spread by the media that has affected my image, I am obliged to explain the only truth: I have never ever refused to warm up in my whole career, let alone play in a match,” Perez posted on Twitter.

“In my current club the players on the bench warm up in a series of three to five minutes, in continuous rotation.

“In the moment that Marko got injured, I was on the bench after warming up.

“The coach called me to go out and play, however having realised that it was faster to sub Antonio in, who was at that moment warming up, he changed his decision.

“The images that have been misinterpreted corresponded to a talk with the goalkeeper’s coach, in which I never refused to warm up and explained to what happened.

“As a professional I accept the decision and will continue working hard to have as many minutes as I can.”

More from Planet Sport:

ATP betting preview: Take it to the Greek at 11/2 at the Moselle Open (Tennis365)

Four fascinating storylines heading into the FedEx Cup finale (Golf365)