Lucas Paqueta will be free to play for West Ham during his Football Association hearing into alleged spot-fixing.
Reports emerged this week that the hearing into allegations that Brazil midfielder Paqueta deliberately got himself booked four times for betting purposes will begin later this month and could last three weeks.
Both the FA, which is reported to be pushing for a lifetime ban for Paqueta if he is found guilty, and West Ham are remaining tight-lipped on when the case will be heard.
Lucas Paqueta is facing an FA hearing (Jonathan Brady/PA)
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said on Thursday that he was unable to discuss “an open case” when quizzed about the potential timeline.
But the PA news agency understands that whenever proceedings begin, Paqueta will still be available to play for both West Ham and Brazil, as he will not be provisionally suspended.
Paqueta is alleged to have deliberately got himself booked in Premier League matches against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023 and Bournemouth in August 2023.
The 27-year-old, who is fit again after rolling an ankle in training last month, denies the charges and has vowed to “fight with every breath” to clear his name.