Tim Vickery shares worrying trial update on West Ham star Lucas Paqueta
Tim Vickery has been keeping a keen eye on West Ham star Lucas Paqueta as he awaits trial for alleged spot-fixing charges.
The Brazil international is in the centre of a betting probe from the FA despite denying any implication with the alleged offences.
This hasn’t stopped the 27-year-old from featuring for the Hammers, making appearances against Wolves and Bournemouth in the Premier League in the midst of his hearing.
With Paqueta still awaiting news on the outcome, Brazilian football expert Vickery has shared the feeling surrounding the case in South America.
Vickery concerned for West Ham ace Paqueta
The attacker is accused of deliberately getting himself booked on four times between November 2022 and August 2023 in an attempt to influence betting markets.
This is all despite the Hammers star pleading not guilty as a potential lifetime ban hangs over the former Lyon man’s head moving forward.
There is no doubt that the Irons will be keen to learn the outcome of this case, but it now looks likely a result won’t emerge until the summer for Paqueta.
This is resulting in an uneasy atmosphere around the London Stadium, which is unlikely to be helped by a disappointing verdict from Vickery live on talkSPORT (9 April, 12:14pm).
He said: “Everyone I speak to here [Brazil] thinks Paqueta is skating on very, very thin ice. Everyone is really worried about his career.
“The burden of proof is difficult with this one because I imagine, in legal terms, they have to prove that this was deliberate and have to have definitive proof that it was deliberate, and that may be difficult to find and the thing which is pushing this back until the summer.”
Paqueta in dangerous position at West Ham
There is no true positivity surrounding the Brazilian right now as many begin to fear the worst for his career inn the short term.
| Stat (Premier League 24/25) | Lucas Paqueta |
| Appearances | 27 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 0 |
The betting case has been adjourned until the summer in the wake of the hearing, which could have multiple implications moving forward.
With that being said, it is little surprise that the Irons’ hierarchy have been fearing the worst for Paqueta regardless of his persistent innocent claims.
Now, everyone associated with the London Stadium, including the likes of Graham Potter, will wait patiently to learn the outcome and the future of the former Flamengo man.
Based on what Vickery is saying, there doesn’t seem to be much hope emerging from his homeland for the technical number 10.