Pundit fumes at ‘farce’ investigation into West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie labelled a Football Association (FA) investigation into West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta a “farce”.
The FA launched a probe into the West Ham attacking midfielder amid allegations of betting breaches. Paqueta has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Paqueta had been heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City prior to the news of the investigation being made public, and that move has since broken down.
Former West Ham striker McAvennie is delighted to see Paqueta remain at London Stadium and still playing for the Hammers, but thinks there is too much uncertainty about betting rules.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “It’s becoming a farce now, [it’s] like me playing at Celtic and putting a bet on Real Madrid against Barcelona.
“It can’t affect the game. So why should they punish it? It was something to do with a foul wasn’t it? I mean the one he got booked that they’re talking about is [John] McGinn. McGinn was away from him and he caught him, he’s gonna trip him up anyway – it wasn’t a game, set and match he’s done that to get booked.
“I don’t understand what’s going on with the betting system. But I’m just glad that he’s playing, I’m glad for West Ham, I’m glad for everything about the club because you just saw the atmosphere [against Chelsea] again was brilliant.”
Sky Sports reported on August 23 that City’s bid for Paqueta was “completely off” this summer, having initially reached an agreement in principle over a deal in the region of £80million.
An update from the news organisation later that same day said sources had shared that Paqueta remained hopeful the deal may be resurrected in the January transfer window.
But, for now at least, he remains a key part of a Hammers side competing in the Premier League and Europa League this term.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes still wants a couple more bodies through the door this summer.