Lucas Paqueta has been charged for potential betting breaches, and his future with West Ham United remains very much up in the air right now.
It first emerged that West Ham star Lucas Paqueta was being investigated for his alleged involvement in a betting scam right at the start of the 2023/24 season.
The 26-year-old former Lyon star was on the verge of a move to Manchester City before that news broke (Daily Mail).
And he has since been charged after the FA completed their investigation into the alleged betting breaches.
It was claimed recently that the Hammers hierarchy fear that the Brazil international’s career could be over, if he’s found guilty of the charges he faces – ones that he vehemently denies.
Then, out in Brazil, it was suggested that a decision was due to be made on Paqueta’s future on June 10th, when senator Jorge Kajuru was set to meet with other members of the ‘The Parliamentary Inquiry Commission’.
However, his current situation remains very much up in the air. Nobody really knows one way or the other what’s actually going to happen.
Now though, a top insider has shed some light on the situation…
Lucas Paqueta punishment mooted, if found guilty
Every single person involved with the Hammers are keeping their fingers crossed that the outcome will be a positive one for the 26-year-old.
His teammates will be desperate to play alongside Paqueta next season as well. Edson Alvarez was apparently fiercely supportive of Lucas, when the Brazilian broke the news to the rest of the squad last year.
The ideal outcome will obviously be Paqueta being cleared of all the charges. That way, we will either get to enjoy him for a minimum of one more season, or sell him to Man City for at least £70 million.
If West Ham do sell him, Julen Lopetegui’s summer transfer kitty will be boosted significantly.
However, it seems like it may be a bad ending for Paqueta and the Hammers.
The Athletic claim that a top International Betting Integrity Association insider – one who wants to remain anonymous – has suggested that South American star is facing a lifetime ban if found guilty of his part in the alleged betting breaches.
There has been previous with this kind of case – Stratford Town defender Kynan Isaac was given a ten-year suspension for betting on himself to be booked in an FA Cup tie in 2021.
However, Paqueta didn’t actually bet on himself, so the end result may well be different to Isaac’s, if he’s found guilty.
Whatever happens, the latest update really doesn’t sound good at all for the West Ham star does it?
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