Lucas Paqueta ban: Tim Vickery reacts to ‘very sad’ update on West Ham favourite
Tim Vickery has shared his concern amid the latest regarding West Ham United favourite Lucas Paqueta.
While Paqueta has been a star on the pitch for West Ham, his doings off of it have cast a much darker shadow over his time at the London Stadium.
Paqueta has seen his time at West Ham overshadowed by allegations of betting scandals and the Brazilian is to face a new hearing, with some serious consequences to be had if found guilty.
The West Ham star has strongly denied any wrongdoing, but Vickery insisted that it isn’t looking good for Paqueta, who could face a lifetime ban from football if he is to be found guilty.
Lucas Paqueta set for FA hearing
talkSPORT reports (17 February) that there is a new piece of evidence to show that one of the bookings received by Paqueta was a deliberate “birthday present” for his brother, with the FA likely to pick up on that at the hearing next month.
The claims are that some of the yellow cards accumulated by the midfielder resulted in a financial benefit for one or more people.
South American football expert Vickery said: “Next month, the FA are due to give their verdict on his involvement in this alleged deliberately picking up yellow cards for purposes of betting manipulation.
“So the investigation also alleges that one of the yellow cards that Lucas Paqueta allegedly picked up was a birthday present to his brother.
“So the net seems to be closing in. I watched him grow because he grew up here in Flamengo. It’s very, very sad what I fear is going to happen to him, but it’s not looking good.”
West Ham will be awaiting FA decision on Lucas Paqueta
While the allegations have some serious implications for Paqueta, they also do for the Hammers. If the Brazilian is found guilty, he could face a lifetime ban from football.
Given the importance Paqueta has to West Ham, it would be a massive blow to see him suspended and/or banned from involvement in the sport.
Paqueta is facing no further action from the South American side of the investigation after he provided evidence of his innocence, but the one to take place in the UK is completely separate and could have much larger implications.
His first involvement with the FA came back in 2023 when he was alleged to have breached betting rules, but Paqueta has denied his involvement in any of the cases brought upon him.
Both parties will face an anxious wait ahead of the hearing scheduled for March.