Lucas Paqueta‘s spot fixing case has been rumbling on for almost two years now.
The Brazil international was charged by the FA in May 2024 following a 10-month investigation. After a string of delays, his trial concluded earlier in June and the player was told he must wait four to eight weeks for a decision.
The midfielder’s charge is in relation to four counts of deliberately getting a yellow card to influence betting markets, and two further charges of failing to cooperate with the investigation.
Paqueta has insisted he is innocent from the very start and West Ham have stood firmly behind the 27-year-old in their support.
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,” Paqueta said in his only public comment on the case shortly after the charge was made.
“For nine months I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
It is alleged that Paqueta sought to be deliberately booked in four different matches in order to affect betting markets in his home country, with friends and family reportedly being the beneficiaries.
With the case now closed, both Paqueta and the club are patiently waiting for an outcome so that they can move on and continue planning for the future.
The case has cost West Ham and Paqueta millions
Paqueta and Guardiola
When the FA’s original investigation was made public, Paqueta was about to be sold to Manchester City for £80m. Indeed, the transfer was subsequently cancelled as a result and the former Lyon player remained in east London.
Ever since, Paqueta’s form has been impacted, especially since he was charged. Last season, the Brazil international failed to register a single assist and scored just five goals in all competitions.
Meanwhile, West Ham have been left frustrated that they have been unable to make a healthy profit on the £51m they paid for Paqueta’s signature in the summer of 2022.
That frustration will have reached boiling point this summer as they find themselves in a situation where PSR regulations are forcing them to sell before they can buy.
It means the outcome of Paqueta’s case will have a significant impact on what West Ham can do in terms of transfer activity over the next two months.
There has been mention of a possible lifetime ban if Paqueta is found guilty. If that is the result, then West Ham will obviously be unable to cash in on the midfielder and will ultimately lose a valuable asset in the process.
It’s believed West Ham want to sell Paqueta this summer to raise funds Graham Potter’s West Ham rebuild.
Good news on the horizon for West Ham and Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta celebrates
Transfer insider and journalist Graeme Bailey has given a very positive update on Paqueta’s situation, which gives hope to West Ham that there will be a happy ending after all.
While speaking to TBR Football about West Ham’s financial issues this summer, Bailey said: “Lucas Paqueta will found out within two weeks about his court case, but we’re fully expecting him to be exonerated or at the very least he’ll be able to play Premier League football next season, hence he’ll be able to move.”
That is the perfect outcome for all involved if true, although West Ham will be very nervous about the outcome.
While it is very unlikely West Ham will be able to demand the £80m they were set to receive two summers ago, there is hope they can at least recoup what they paid for him initially and break even.
Due to PSR, they will want to avoid making a heavy loss on Paqueta so that would be the ideal outcome for all involved.
If it all plays out that way, then Paqueta will likely join a long list of first-team players who are expected to leave London Stadium this summer, including Mohammed Kudus and Tomas Soucek.