Exclusive: Hammers News has spoken to the FA after it was claimed the investigation into West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been dropped.
They say things come in threes.
And after back-to-back wins for West Ham, yet more good news emerged on Monday.
It is no surprise that West Ham’s first wins of 2024 have coincided with the return of their Brazilian magnifico Lucas Paqueta from injury.
The Hammers playmaker has had an FA investigation over alleged involvement in illegal betting hanging over his head since last summer.
Report claims Paqueta betting probe has been dropped
There have been conflicting reports regarding the Paqueta investigation recently.
It was claimed by a source close to West Ham’s owners that the club are concerned the FA will officially charge Paqueta over the allegations so that his fate can then be decided by an independent three-person panel.
But today Inside World Football has reported that the Paqueta probe is over and he will not be charged.
In an article titled ‘Betting probe over, Dorival Jr includes Lucas Paqueta in first Brazil squad’, IWF reports: “Paqueta was named in a new-look Brazilian squad for the friendlies against England and Spain at the end of March as Dorival welcomed him back after the English Football Association failed to charge him as part of a betting investigation.”
‘He was not punished’
It then quotes Brazil’s national team director Rodrigo Caetano saying: “He continues to play normally (for West Ham), he was not punished, so it is a situation that is not for us to judge.
“A very high-level athlete, he does not have any investigation or accusations underway, at least for now.”
I have sought clarity over the claims with my contact at the Football Association.
And the FA has responded to the claim that the investigation into West Ham star Paqueta has been dropped.
Unfortunately I can report that is not the case.
FA tells Hammers News that Paqueta claim is ‘factually incorrect’
“That article is factually incorrect,” an official FA spokesman told Hammers News.
As disappointing as it might be to hear the Paqueta investigation has not been dropped, it could actually be a good thing for West Ham.
Manchester City have been widely tipped to move for the Hammers star again if he is not charged.
These investigations can rumble on for as long as 16-18 months. That was the case when Granit Xhaka was investigated without action being taken during his time at Arsenal.
The hope – for West Ham fans at least – is that a similar time-frame would see Paqueta remain at the London Stadium for at least another season.
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