West Ham Online

"Sport Bible New report on Lucas Paqueta's spot-fixing charges reveals how much of next season West Ham star can play There has been an update on Paqueta's case. Alex Brotherton Lucas Paqueta will be free to play for West Ham for most of next season despite facing spot-fixing charges. Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association with four separate instances of spot-fixing. The 28-year-old stands accused of deliberately getting himself booked during four Premier League matches. It is one of the most serious cases of spot-fixing involving a top-flight player in England, and could land Paqueta with a lengthy ban. However, the Brazil international can continue to play until the disciplinary process has been completed. According to The Times, the outcome of the process could be delayed until the end of the 2024-25 season or beyond. That is due to the complexity of the case; Paqueta's lawyers say it will take many months to secure all the witness statements and relevant information they need for their defence. That's because the case spans three countries - England, Brazil and Spain - and involves a large number of people. The charges allege that Paqueta got himself booked during matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth over the past two seasons so that “one or more persons” could profit financially. The investigation that preceded the charges took eight months. In September 2023, Brazilian outlet Globo reported that suspicious gambling patterns were identified in Brazil relating to Paqueta being booked against Aston Villa in March that year. The bets were reportedly made using West Ham's shirt sponsor Betway, via accounts belonging to people linked to Paqueta. The FA initially gave the player until June 3 to respond to the charges, but his lawyers were granted an extension. English football's governing body has refused to put a timescale on the case. Paqueta has been linked with a move to Brazilian giants Flamengo this summer, but this latest development will give encouragement to new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui that he can use the midfielder this season."

Gank wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 08:31 Fraser and Manuel, you are both right - on his day he's among the most skilful players in the world, but 'on his day' is much rarer now than it used to be.

Makes me wonder if his patchy form is because of the scandal and investigation. 

If so, then if he gets cleared we might get the more consistent version back. If found guilty he probably won't be able to play anyway. So it's only for the rest of the month that we need to worry about it. 

What sort of bookie takes a bet on him getting booked? He gets booked nearly every game he plays. What next? Betting on Alvarez getting booked!

Fraser and Manuel, you are both right - on his day he's among the most skilful players in the world, but 'on his day' is much rarer now than it used to be.

Makes me wonder if his patchy form is because of the scandal and investigation. 

If so, then if he gets cleared we might get the more consistent version back. If found guilty he probably won't be able to play anyway. So it's only for the rest of the month that we need to worry about it. 

We're about £60M offside arent we if he gets a lifetime ban 

£30m sale for him and another £30m to replace him

I've not been his biggest fan the last few seasons but I would like to see what sort of tune Potter can get out of him. I agree he is guilty as hell, but lets up Sullivan has paid up for some decent lawyers and he isn't getting some bloke from University of East London on work experience! 

 

Manuel wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 06:48

fraser wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 06:41

Nutsin wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 02:41 We play better when he’s not in the team.



 

Not sure about that Newcastle away, Villa away 2 of our best three performances this season along with Arsenal away.. He played in the first two and was good in both motm in one. 

The only good performance that we got a result in without him was Arsenal. 

He has lots of poor games but when he does play well so do we, he's played well more since Potter has arrived, as have a lot of our players. 

Haha! Sticking up for your pet again. He's had 2 or 3 good games in about a year ffs and even then no match changing moments, just decent He isn't anywhere near that level in the PL. Fwiw, as I've said before I'm not a hater, he can be OK and puts the graft in, but the fella cannot hurt defenses at this level no matter what you come out with.

fraser wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 06:41

Nutsin wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 02:41 We play better when he’s not in the team.



 

Not sure about that Newcastle away, Villa away 2 of our best three performances this season along with Arsenal away.. He played in the first two and was good in both motm in one. 

The only good performance that we got a result in without him was Arsenal. 

He has lots of poor games but when he does play well so do we, he's played well more since Potter has arrived, as have a lot of our players. 

Nutsin wrote: ↑06 Mar 2025, 02:41 We play better when he’s not in the team.

 

We play better when he’s not in the team.
 

He’ll appeal if he loses, then it’ll drag on and go to the Court of Arbitration for review by which time he’ll be 35 and retired 

This going to go on and on if he's found guilty. Surely he can then take it to a court where he actually has to be proven guilty. 

Let’s be honest, he’s as guilty as hell.

 

The hearing will be this month and take three weeks. FA seeking a lifetime ban

Difficult, but I have time for him and Kudus, despite the crap they are giving us. Truth is the whole team are not very interested. Only Captain Bowen and the kids are turning up every week.

Manuel wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 15:26 He's only out for 1-2 weeks.

I won’t miss him.

He's only out for 1-2 weeks.

Staged an injury!
Sure his ankle wasn’t weakened by COVID vaccine injections?

iphammer wrote: ↑19 Feb 2025, 22:46 it's all a bit strange that the match-fixing stuff has recently re surfaced and now he is out injured for 4 weeks. 

iphammer wrote: ↑19 Feb 2025, 22:46 it's all a bit strange that the match-fixing stuff has recently re surfaced and now he is out injured for 4 weeks. 

This must be the most depressing season since Avram's days.

it's all a bit strange that the match-fixing stuff has recently re surfaced and now he is out injured for 4 weeks. 

honky cat" wrote: ↑19 Feb 2025, 19:31 I'll probably get pelted for this but .. 

 

I'll probably get pelted for this but .. Im sick of him really. Any good bit of form and fitness always seems to coincide with the transfer window. If there wasnt this gambling shit going on, i'm sure he would be long gone. Talented yes, but name a game where he completely bossed it.

Out for at least 4 weeks. Wouldn't be shocked if he can't be arsed ro play much more this season

Could not give a shit. Hasn't contributed anywhere near enough this season. If it's a bad enough injury we might not see him in a west ham shirt again.

Maybe we'll be a little bit more solid without him in the team.