West Ham boss Graham Potter has stressed that the Hammers must continue to support Lucas Paqueta, who appears to be at the end of his spot-fixing charges ‘ordeal’.
But the Englishman insisted that he has not been told a ruling on the Football Association’s probe is imminent.
On Friday, Mail Sport reported that the Brazilian looks set to win his seismic two-year fight to save his career after standing accused of picking up yellow cards on purpose in order to influence betting outcomes.
Paqueta has been facing a potential life ban if found guilty of the charges. West Ham insiders confirmed to Mail Sport on Friday afternoon that they had received word of the verdict. When put to them that it was understood Paqueta had been successful in clearing his name, they insisted they could neither confirm nor deny and were unable to officially comment.
There has not yet been an official announcement from the FA, who previously charged him.
Following the Hammer’s pre-season defeat by Manchester United in New Jersey on Sunday morning, Potter – who is headed into his first full season with the club – broke his silence on the matter and stressed the need to back the midfielder as his wait to learn his fate goes on.
West Ham boss Graham Potter has insisted that the Hammers must continue to support Lucas Paqueta
On Friday, Mail Sport reported that the Brazilian looks set to win his seismic two-year fight to save his career
Paqueta was charged with purposefully picking up yellow cards in order to influence betting markets – with four counts of spot‑fixing and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation
‘I don’t know anything. I just know we have to support him,’ said Potter. ‘He has been through a long ordeal. He is a big personality in the group.’
On whether he has been told confirmation of the decision is imminent, the former Brighton boss said: ‘No’.
Mail Sport broke the story of the FA’s probe into Paqueta back in August 2023. At that time, their investigation scuppered his proposed £80million move from West Ham to Manchester City.
That led to Paqueta being charged in May 2024 with four counts of spot‑fixing – relating to cautions shown in Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth – and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation.
It is not yet known whether he has beaten every single charge with an announcement expected within the coming days.
Alongside that charge sheet from the FA was reported to be a recommendation that he is banned for life if proven that he was picking up cards to win cash for those betting on him.
West Ham have been furious with how the FA allowed their investigation to drag on for so long. It left a dark cloud hanging over one of their best players for two years with Paqueta considered a special type of talent who can turn a game on its head in an instant.
It was his assist for Jarrod Bowen which saw them beat Fiorentina in the Conference League final in Prague in June 2023, marking their first major trophy in 43 years.
Paqueta pictured at West Ham’s London Stadium with his wife Maria Fournier, who admitted the couple have been ‘living this nightmare for two years’ in an emotional statement in May
His manager for that triumph was David Moyes, the now-Everton boss who Mail Sport revealed even acted as a witness in a significant section of his defence against the FA’s claims. Paqueta was represented by Nick De Marco KC in the hearing which concluded nearly two months ago.
Sources close to Paqueta have previously described how it has been a tormenting time for him personally. The yellow he received against Leicester, on November 12, 2022, was nearly 1,000 days ago.
Ever since learning that he was being investigated, he has strenuously insisted he was innocent and had faith that he would clear his name.
West Ham supported Paqueta throughout it all, though the Premier League club had long feared that the odds were stacked against them and their player. As previously reported, that was due to the standard of proof being based on a ‘balance of probabilities’ – as in civil law cases – as opposed to the more rigorous ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ threshold in criminal proceedings.
Paqueta has been a key player for West Ham since signing from Lyon for a club-record £51million in 2022. If found innocent, the Hammers may have a decision to make on him this summer, including whether to sell him. Brazilian club Flamengo are believed to be interested.
