A dark cloud has been hanging over Lucas Paqueta and West Ham for the best part of two years but things suddenly look a lot brighter.
- Hammers News exclusive
West Ham fears appear to be easing regarding the fate of Lucas Paqueta.
The Brazilian’s FA trial into alleged spot-fixing is into its third and – what is scheduled to be – final week.
The FA are pushing for West Ham playmaker Paqueta to be banned for life by the independent three-person panel.
West Ham have previously described the FA’s stance as ‘savage’ and believe it is ‘very wrong’ Paqueta’s career could be destroyed on a potential ‘51 per cent’ guilty verdict.
The club’s major concern regarding the case has always centred around the standard of proof for the panel, which is based on a “balance of probabilities” – as in all civil cases.
West Ham’s Paqueta ban fears easing
That is very different to the more rigorous “beyond a reasonable doubt” threshold which is applied in criminal proceedings.
It effectively means the FA only need to convince the panel it is ‘more likely than not’ that Paqueta engaged in spot-fixing by deliberately being booked to influence betting markets during those West Ham matches.
Under FA rules, the civil standard of ‘balance of probabilities’ is used by their Regulatory Commissions in cases.
Paqueta has a legal big gun in his corner, though.
Renowned barrister Nick De Marco KC, known as ‘The Godfather of sports law’, is part of West Ham’s team defending Paqueta.
A major element of Paqueta’s defence so far has involved getting David Moyes to verify that he didn’t want to play in a game in which he received one of four yellow cards he’s alleged to have deliberately sought to influence betting markets.
That was the result of being in the throes of a potential £85m move to Man City.
West Ham missed out on that money, Paqueta was denied what he called a ‘dream move’ and the case has dragged on for nearly two years since.
De Marco told West Ham he expects Paqueta to be absolved after week two.
It’s suddenly looking better for West Ham star Paqueta
Now into week three we may have found out why and it could cost the FA millions.
It’s suddenly looking better for Paqueta as the pressure piles on the FA over the West Ham star.
If Paqueta is admonished in the case the FA could end up paying out tens of millions in compensation.
West Ham and Paqueta were denied massive pay outs due to the failed £85m Man City transfer.
The Hammers were also denied the chance to sign Cole Palmer in the other direction, which still stings.
Both parties could be entitled to big compensation pay-outs should the panel rule in Paqueta’s favour.
And sources indicate that is the way things look to be heading.
Hammers News has spoken to two top sources close to the case and update could be huge for West Ham and their £51m record signing.
West Ham’s concerned outlook has changed in the last few days of the trial – especially after De Marco made it clear to the club he thinks Paqueta will be cleared.
According to top Hammers News sources, that’s after a gambling expert witness called to give evidence ‘had a really rough time and was not good’.
Now a statistician has been called today and tomorrow who West Ham and the defence are said to be confident ‘tips the whole case’.
Major update piles pressure on FA over Paqueta
“The stats man is in court from today and will be in tomorrow – he is a huge witness in this case,” the top source close to the Paqueta situation told Hammers News.
“He will point to hundreds of instances that Paqueta’s fouls that would normally result in a booking which have not seen a booking given among other things.
“They are very confident this guy tips the whole case.
“The gambling witness had a really rough time and was not good.
“West Ham and Paqueta sound hugely confident at this stage.”
It comes after Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham insist Paqueta’s bookings are a result of his style.
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