New details have surfaced regarding the schedule for the FA’s investigation into Lucas Paqueta’s ‘spot-fixing’ case, which concerns four yellow cards the Brazilian received between November 2022 and August 2023.
The FA described the charges as influencing the ‘progress, conduct or any other 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.’
The charges have been well documented since they came to light but have gone somewhat quiet since FA’s statement.
However, it feels like a cloud has been hanging over the Brazilian international all season, and these fears have now become reality, with the hearing reportedly scheduled for next month according to Claret and Hugh and talkSPORT.
It has been revealed that one of Paqueta’s four yellow cards against Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, was a ‘birthday present’ for his brother, according to Tim Vickery.
Could the end be near for Paqueta
Paqueta has been cleared of all charges in his home country of Brazil after giving evidence to the Brazilian Senate Commission, despite being ‘suspected of game manipulation.’
This could explain the rumours in recent months about the midfielder potentially making a return to Brazil to rejoin his former club Flamengo, and casts further doubts regarding his future at West Ham.
Claret and Hugh have reported that it could take a matter of weeks for the FA to decide on their punishment for the Brazilian, meaning it is likely we will know the outcome of the investigation before the end of the season.
Vickery shared his fears of the worst for Paqueta talking to the Trans Euro Express on talkSPORT:
‘It’s very, very sad what I fear is going to happen to him, but it’s not looking good,’ the journalist said.
With previous reports suggesting that the punishment could be as much as a 10-year-ban, this could well be the last season we see of Lucas Paqueta at West Ham.
