David Moyes agreement at West Ham in huge new Paqueta trial developments
Lucas Paqueta has begun the process of fighting to save his career as the trial into the West Ham United star’s alleged illicit betting activity got underway this week.
Paqueta has avoided international duty with Brazil this week to attempt to clear his name at his hearing, standing accused of four separate spot-fixing allegations.
The West Ham playmaker has always strenuously denied the accusation across a quartet of Premier League games while representing the Hammers, and now a new development has emerged.
David Moyes involved in Paqueta spot-fixing trial
If found guilty of any of the breaches of which he has been accused, Paqueta risks a life ban and could never play competitive professional football again.
While it would be a massive blow for his aspirations, both in and out of West Ham and Brazil – he was linked with an £80million switch to Manchester City around the time of the alleged offences – it would also be a bitter pill to swallow for the Irons.
It has now been reported by the Mail (20 March) that former manager David Moyes, whose Everton side faced West Ham last weekend, will act in defence of Paqueta during the trial.
Moyes managed the Brazilian during the matches in which he was accused of deliberately obtaining yellow cards to influence betting markets, against Bournemouth, Leicester, Leeds United and Aston Villa.
Alongside Moyes in Paqueta’s corner is the sports law giant Nick De Marco KC, who acted in defence of Ivan Toney when he was charged with various breaches of FA betting regulations.
West Ham’s long-serving front-of-shirt sponsor, Betway, is understood to be the betting company that reported several stakes being placed on Paqueta’s bookings from his homeland of Brazil.
West Ham fear odds are not in their favour on Paqueta
According to the report, West Ham have fears that such is the “balance of probabilities” in these cases, with a “51 per cent” guilty verdict enough to find Paqueta in breach of rules, and given a lengthy ban.
Paqueta was initially charged with a deliberate spot-fix with a late yellow card against Bournemouth in August 2023 – a match he had asked Moyes not to play in amid interest from Man City over the lucrative move.
| Lucas Paqueta – alleged suspicious yellow cards | Date |
| Leicester City | 12 November 2022 |
| Aston Villa | 12 March 2023 |
| Leeds United | 21 May 2023 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 12 August 2023 |
Moyes had informed Paqueta that while he understood the player’s stance, he had no intention of dropping the attacking midfielder while he was still on the books at the London Stadium.
West Ham are already frustrated by the fact that not only did they not receive a massive fee for Paqueta from Man City, the release clause of £85million for 2024 has now passed with no club willing to touch him with a barge pole on a permanent deal until he is cleared of wrongdoing.
If Paqueta’s hearing remains ongoing for West Ham’s next fixture against Wolves on 1 April, he will be allowed to play for Graham Potter’s side.
There will no doubt be plenty of twists and turns in the trial this week, and everyone is hoping for a positive outcome at the London Stadium.