Lucas Paqueta’s FA spot-fixing case has been adjourned until at least May, after the independent panel was unable to reach a conclusion following his three-week court hearing.
The Brazilian missed out on international duty with Brazil for their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia to be present for the hearing, but has been available for West Ham’s games against Wolves and Bournemouth since the proceedings started on 17 March.
The FA charged the 27-year-old with four counts of betting breaches in May 2024, which related to four yellow cards the midfielder received between November 2022 and August 2023.
Paqueta has always denied any wrongdoing since the charges were made, while West Ham have also backed the player and expressed frustration with the FA’s handling of the trial.
Frustratingly, however, for West Ham and Paqueta, despite meaning the player will be available for the rest of the season, his future at the club and in English football remains unclear.
Could this delay spell trouble for the FA?
Many issues could arise for the FA should Paqueta win the case, particularly due to the fact this denied his £80million move to Manchester City in 2023.
An inconclusive outcome after a three-week trial doesn’t look great on the FA’s part, particularly in a case that many high-profile journalists such as Tim Vickery believed would end badly for the Brazilian:
“It’s very, very sad what I fear is going to happen to him, but it’s not looking good,” Vickery said in February.
Claret and Hugh have detailed how the collapsed deal between the Hammers and Man City ahead of the 2023/24 campaign could ultimately cost the FA tens of millions in compensation to both Paqueta and West Ham.
For now, though, West Ham fans will have to look at the positives and enjoy the fact they can watch their Brazilian Magnifico for the rest of the season.
