After nearly two years of relentless uncertainty, judgement day has finally arrived for Lucas Paqueta and West Ham.
The Brazilian magnifico’s future hangs in the balance as the long-awaited verdict on his case is set to drop – a decision that could shape not just his career, but the Hammers’ plans for the seasons ahead.
Tension is mounting in east London as West Ham brace for the outcome of the FA saga that started in August 2023 and is now set to come to an end.
The FA are pushing for Paqueta to receive a lifetime ban if West Ham’s record £51m signing is found guilty of deliberately being booked on four separate occasions to influence betting markets.
Judgement day as West Ham braced for Paqueta verdict
The saga has rumbled on amid claim and counterclaim, costing the Hammers around £80m and Paqueta a ‘dream move’ to Man City.
It has also had a profound impact on Paqueta’s mental health, according to his wife.
Duda Fournier hit out at the FA over the Paqueta trial when her husband broke down in tears after being cautioned by the referee in West Ham’s clash with Spurs towards the end of last season.
Angry West Ham head coach Graham Potter called for Paqueta case to be concluded in the best interests of all concerned so West Ham could plan their summer transfer window rebuild.
The Hammers are expected to sell Paqueta if he beats the charges with Saudi and Brazilian clubs interested.
Paqueta was given an almighty scare by news from Italy last month with a goalkeeper told he could be banned for four years if guilty of receiving a single deliberate booking to influence betting markets.
Paqueta appeared to wave goodbye to West Ham fans after the final game of last season, standing alone and looking downbeat as he did so.
But West Ham returned to pre-season training earlier this month and the 27-year-old has been pictured smiling and enjoying the preparations with his teammates as the soap opera continues in the background.
End in sight for FA’s Paqueta saga after two years of trauma
Now, more than 50 days since the hearing ended, the Hammers will learn his fate.
Because it is judgement day as West Ham are braced for the Paqueta verdict after nearly two years of trauma.
Yesterday, insider Sean Whetstone – a close confidant of West Ham majority owner David Sullivan – wrote an open letter to the FA demanding a date be announced for the Paqueta verdict.
“It is now 50 days since the tribunal hearing finished, with no indication of when the verdict will be formally announced,” Whetstone stated.
“This frustrating situation is not fair to Lucas Paqueta and his family, his club, West Ham United and the supporters of the East London Premier League club.
“We politely request that the FA make a public statement to immediately announce a date and time when the verdict will be announced to stop the uncertainty faced by all the stakeholders.”
Whether the letter has publicly shamed the FA into action or by coincidence, the Paqueta verdict will be announced today.
The long-awaited verdict in the Paqueta saga is due on Friday July 25.
Here’s a reminder of the SIX charges against West Ham’s Brazil international, who has vehemently protested his innocence from the beginning.
All six FA charges against West Ham star Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta has been officially charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
West Ham’s £51m record signing has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
It is alleged by the FA that Paqueta directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.
Video footage of those bookings has been frequently re-posted on social media and will form part of the FA’s evidence to a three-person independent panel.
In addition to those four charges, Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.
What are FA Rule F2 and F3?
- FA Rule F2: This rule allows the FA to require any participant (player, coach, club official, etc.) to attend, answer questions, provide documents, information, or other materials, upon reasonable notice.
- FA Rule F3:This rule defines misconduct as a breach, including failing to comply with a requirement under FA Rule F2.
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