Lucas Paqueta hearing: Kaveh Solhekol shares update with lifetime ban possible
Lucas Paqueta is preparing to fight for his future, both at West Ham United and in football, at his FA hearing this month.
Paqueta is set to undergo a three-week hearing over FA betting charges later this month in what will be one of the longest sets of court proceedings to ever involve English football's governing body.
The Brazilian is facing four separate charges of breaching FA betting rules by picking up three allegedly deliberate yellow cards across the 2022–23 Premier League season, and could be set for a lengthy ban.
West Ham have still relied on Paqueta this season, with the 27-year-old making 26 appearances in all competitions with 20 Premier League starts, although he's managed just four goals and no assists so far.
Paqueta stance on West Ham ban shared by Sky Sports
Paqueta could end this month's hearing with a guilty verdict which prevents him from ever playing professional football in England – and possibly Europe – again, which is an unthinkable prospect for West Ham.
| Date | Opponent |
| 12 November 2022 | Leicester City – fouled Dennis Pratt |
| 12 March 2023 | Aston Villa – fouled John McGinn |
| 21 May 2023 | Leeds United – fouled Crysencio Summerville |
| 12 August 2023 | Bournemouth – deliberate handball |
However, the Brazilian maintains his innocence ahead of this month's court proceedings, with Sky Sports News journalist Kaveh Solhekol (5 March) sharing how Paqueta will approach his hearing.
Solhekol said: “My understanding of Paqueta’s situation is this – his feeling is that whatever happens he will clear his name.
“He absolutely insists that he’s done absolutely nothing wrong, and he will not rest until he has cleared his name.
"I know there's talk of a lifetime ban, but that does not even enter his thinking. He (thinks he) will clear his name because he believes that he has not put a bet on any football game.
“And he believes he will be cleared.”
Lucas Paqueta and West Ham face life-changing weeks ahead
The ramifications of a guilty verdict coming down on Paqueta later this month could have seismic ramifications for the player, his club and country combined, given the midfielder's undeniable quality.
As well as being one of the first names on the West Ham team sheet when fit, Paqueta is also a regular starter for Brazil, and a ban would leave both teams with significant holes to fill in his absence.
While the Selecao have a plethora of other talented midfielders to pick from, club football works very differently, and the Hammers would have to spend big money to buy a similar type of player at his age.
Playmakers in their prime certainly don't come cheap, and having seen a potential transfer fee north of £60million go up in smoke following Paqueta's charges, it remains to be seen what West Ham's next move will be if their number 10 receives a lengthy ban to bring his Irons career to an immediate end.