Lucas Paqueta for West Ham United
(Credit: Imago / Sky Sports)
Dan Godfrey
Sun 23 March 2025 8:23, UK
Lucas Paqueta faces the fight of his career as the West Ham United star’s trial into banned betting activity is underway.
Paqueta vehemently continues to deny his four accusations of deliberately earning yellow cards in Premier League games to influence gambling markets, but could be banned for life from competitive football if found in breach.
The Brazilian remains eligible to play at least until the trial has concluded, but has not travelled on international duty with his nation.
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta denies any wrongdoing (Credit: Imago)
Paqueta first reaction to FA investigation revealed
Paqueta’s four bookings in question (Sky Sports) were received for various offences – three of them throughout the 2022-23 season, and the last at the beginning of the following campaign.
Shortly after committing the final offence – a handball against AFC Bournemouth in August 2023 – news of an FA investigation reached West Ham United, who duly informed Paqueta privately.
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According to the Mail (23 March), the 27-year-old reacted very nonchalantly when told about the potential allegations, and showed very little emotion or concern.
Riath Al-Samarrai explained how Paqueta was outlined the details of the investigation, but was “detached” around Rush Green and appeared to be unfazed by the eye-opening developments.
“A few tales have reached me about how Paqueta managed his existence in the early days of an important saga, once the asteroid came into view. They take us back to August 2023.
“That’s when word arrived that the FA were looking into him and the Brazilian was taken into a room at West Ham’s base at Rush Green, where a few of the particulars were laid out by a senior member of club staff.
“It’s not clear if that was the very first Paqueta had heard of it, but that’s the assumption of the source who shared the recollection. In any case, there was apparently no panic from the player or much of any emotion at all. Instead, word went round the training ground that he was entirely relaxed. A little detached, even.”
Paqueta is being defended in his trial by former West Ham manager David Moyes, under whom he allegedly committed the offences.
It is understood the Brazilian was reluctant to play for the Hammers around the period concerned in 2023, with a lucrative move to Manchester City in prospect, but Moyes declined his request.
The Irons also lost out on receiving an £85million release clause fee which expired in 2024 for Paqueta, in whom interested clubs have eased their interest until conclusion of the trial.
West Ham United manager David Moyes
Moyes is defending Paqueta during his former star’s case (Credit: Imago)
West Ham fear the worst for Paqueta in ’51 per cent’ scare
West Ham are finding it difficult to ascertain when a definitive outcome will emerge on their playmaker, who continues to be picked by Graham Potter as the investigation rolls on.
The fears held by the Hammers include that of a “51 per cent” guilty verdict being enough to potentially enforce an extremely long ban on Paqueta.
Lucas Paqueta – alleged suspicious yellow cards Date
Leicester City 12 November 2022
Aston Villa 12 March 2023
Leeds United 21 May 2023
AFC Bournemouth 12 August 2023
Paqueta continues to stand trial
While not away with his national team to comply with the development of his trial, Paqueta is looking to avoid a potential suspension for life, with bets originating from his homeland of Brazil concerning the player reported by Betway, long-time sponsors of West Ham’s shirts.
It is a situation of immense magnitude which the Irons must handle with delicate care, complying with the nature of the case while simultaneously supporting the player on whom they could have received upwards of £80million over the past two years.
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