Lucas Paqueta’s trial into alleged spot-fixing will start this month and West Ham have been warned ‘it could be bad news’.
Sky Sports has broadcast an exclusive update on West Ham star Lucas Paqueta and it’s big.
A dark cloud has been hanging over West Ham and their Brazilian magnifico for nearly two years now.
But it will soon come to an end, one way or another.
Paqueta has been playing like a man with his mind elsewhere for most of that time too.
That has had a hugely negative impact on West Ham’s performances and results.
It is only recently under new manager Graham Potter that the playmaker has looked more like his old self.
The spot-fixing case against Paqueta has made more headlines than his football talent in the recent past.
The case alleges that West Ham’s 27-year-old midfielder was deliberately booked on four occasions to illegally manipulate the betting market.
Paqueta has always vehemently denied the allegations against him, maintaining his innocence throughout.
Sky Sports break major Lucas Paqueta update
The club’s £51m record signing is West Ham’s highest earner on £150k per week. He has a book value to the Hammers of £20m as an asset too.
The decision on the case was reportedly set to be announced by an independent three-person panel in the summer.
If found guilty Paqueta could be banned for life.
Worryingly for the Hammers, South American football expert Tim Vickery recently told talkSPORT that ‘the net is closing in’ on Paqueta.
And Vickery said he fears ‘it’s not looking good’ for the West Ham star.
Now West Ham will be stunned by the FA’s stance as Sky Sports break their major Paqueta update.
Sky Sports News journalist and presenter Mike Wedderburn broke the exclusive on Wednesday night.
Wedderburn revealed Paqueta’s trial – to be decided by an independent three-person panel – will start this month.
The trial will last for three weeks and Wedderburn says it will be one of the longest of its kind in FA history.
He warned ‘it could be bad news for West Ham’.
Because Sky Sports exclusively revealed that the FA, who are bringing the case, are pushing hard to have Paqueta banned for life.
“Significant breaking news, and it could be really bad news for West Ham,” Wedderburn said on Sky Sports News.
West Ham will be stunned by FA stance
“You’ll be aware that Lucas Paqueta has had a betting charge cloud over him. Well the hearing is due to take place this month and we understand will last for three weeks.
“The Brazilian was (formally) charged with breaching betting rules in May of last year. It’s understood he’ll face a three-week hearing, which will be one of the longest court proceedings in the FA’s history.
“Wait for this. The FA is pressing for a lifetime ban for Paqueta. A lifetime ban.
“Both the FA and West Ham have been approached by us here at Sky Sports News. Neither is prepared to comment.”
It comes as Paqueta returned to West Ham training this week ahead of games against Newcastle and Everton.
What are the full FA charges against Paqueta?
An FA spokesman previously confirmed Hammers ace Paqueta was charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
“West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3,” the statement reads.
“The player 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’s alleged that he 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.
“Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.”
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