Lucas Paqueta has suffered a new blow that will leave West Ham asking serious questions as a board source hits out.
There’s nobody better than Lucas Paqueta and now he’s one of our own.
That’s how West Ham fans make their Brazilian magnifico feel loved every single game.
Despite the midfield ace’s desire to join Manchester City in the summer and that hug with Pep Guardiola and his staff last week, Hammers supporters have always had his back.
And especially since it emerged out the blue last month, that West Ham star Paqueta is being investigated by the FA and FIFA over potential betting breaches.
The accusations levelled against Paqueta – which he vehemently denies – could result in a ‘multi-year ban’ or even a ‘jail sentence’ if the Hammers ace is found guilty.
Lucas Paqueta suffers new blow that will leave West Ham asking serious questions as board source hits out
The key word in this situation is of course ‘IF’.
West Ham have rallied behind Paqueta since the allegations arose. He has played every game and has responded with performances befitting his status as the club’s new talisman after the departure of Declan Rice.
The situation has certainly not affected his form.
But it seems he is not getting the same level of support in his native Brazil.
Because Paqueta has suffered a new blow that will leave West Ham asking serious questions as a board source hits out.
Brazil turn their back on West Ham’s Samba star
Paqueta was removed from the Brazil squad for the September internationals in the wake of the investigation.
But despite West Ham standing firmly behind the midfielder and playing him every game, Brazil appear to have turned their back on Paqueta.
Because he has been left out of the squad for their important 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay.
Brazil coach Fernando Diniz named his squad last night, calling up 23 players. But West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico is not among them.
What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
And it will leave West Ham asking ‘what happened to innocent until proven guilty’.
Indeed that is exactly what Hammers board source Sean Whetstone has done.
“What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” said Whetstone, who counts Karren Brady and David Sullivan among his sources.
“Brazil national coach appears to have dropped Hammer Lucas Paqueta from his FIFA 2026 world cup (qualifiers) squad due to alleged betting irregularities despite no evidence of player involvement.”
Good news for Hammers in many ways but don’t underestimate the impact on star who lives to play for his country
Of course many West Ham fans – and indeed David Moyes himself – may see it as a boost as it will give Paqueta time to rest and recover during a hectic period.
Not playing for Brazil also limits any risk of injury.
But these established Brazilian stars very much live to play for the national team and pull on that famous yellow jersey.
So we should not underestimate what kind of impact this might have on Paqueta.
It comes after a prominent Brazilian senator said he wants to see West Ham’s Paqueta banned for life if found guilty.
And the president of La Liga claimed Paqueta and his co-accused Luiz Henrique have been ‘marked’ by FIFA.
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