West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta and Graham Potter
(Credit: Imago)
Aheed Abrar
Thu 6 March 2025 19:10, UK
Lucas Paqueta could potentially be in a world of trouble as the FA are set to begin hearing on the West Ham United midfielder’s betting charges soon.
Paqueta was charged for spot-fixing in the Premier League and is set to face a three-week hearing in March.
At the moment, the Brazilian is still playing for the Hammers as the authorities try to prove the alleged charges.
Paqueta could face a lifetime ban by the FA if found guilty of breaking betting rules for allegedly picking up deliberate yellow cards on four separate occasions between 2022 and 2023.
Lucas Paqueta West Ham
Paqueta could be in a world of trouble at West Ham amid his FA hearing. (Credit: Imago)
FA may have audit trail against West Ham star Lucas Paqueta
Simon Jordan believes the FA may have an audit trail that proves Paqueta is guilty of the betting charges.
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The talkSPOT pundit feels the authorities must have strong evidence to support their spot-fixing case against the 27-year-old.
Competition (24/25) Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 23 4 0
FA Cup 1 1 0
Carabao Cup 2 0 0
Paqueta’s record this season.
Jordan thinks the Brazilian midfielder could be in a world of trouble if found guilty of breaching the rules.
Speaking on talkSPORT (6 March, 10:53), the Englishman said: “For the FA to be after him for spot-fixing and to be after him on the basis of outcomes that manifested themselves, they must have an audit trail, a sustainable audit trail of some form of correspondence that points to the fact that he told somebody what he was going to do then went and did it, and people bet on the back of that.
“With that in mind, it’s an egregious offence if he’s indeed guilty of it. If they’ve got the evidence to support it, he’s in a world of trouble.”
Paqueta ban a blow for Graham Potter
Graham Potter’s initial stint at West Ham has been mixed after failing to get consistent performances out of the team.
The former Chelsea boss wasn’t helped by the fact that he was without a quality natural number nine before Evan Ferguson was signed on loan from Brighton.
Danny Ings was the only fit available striker, with Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio on the sidelines with their respective injuries.
Paqueta was the English manager’s go-to centre-forward in recent matches before the Brazil international picked up a knock himself.
The 27-year-old hasn’t been anywhere near his best at the Hammers for several months now, and being accused of breaking betting rules may be affecting the midfielder.
Potter seems to have found the winning formula at the Irons, having beaten Arsenal and Leicester City in the last two Premier League matches.
With uncertainty around Paqueta, it feels like fans will have to wait a bit longer to see how his situation will unfold.
If the 27-year-old does end up being banned, it would be a big blow for the East London club as they will have to find a replacement for him.
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