West Ham news: Sources close to Lucas Paqueta issue FA hearing update
West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta has been cleared to play for the rest of the season, according to westhamfootball.
The news outlet reported on 16 January that sources close to the Brazilian that the FA hearing over match fixing has been rescheduled to the summer.
The 27-year-old has denied all charges that have been brought against him.
The X post read: “Lucas Paqueta’s FA hearing over match fixing has been postponed until the summer clearing him to play for West Ham for the remainder of the season.
“The FA charged the West Ham player last May for allegedly getting booked deliberately “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market”.
“The Brazilian was also charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3, which relate to his mobile phone.
“Paqueta has strongly denied all four charges brought against him insisting ‘misleading and inaccurate’ reporting is putting his chances of a fair disciplinary hearing at risk.
“Originally the FA hearing was expected to be heard in late January this year but that was moved to March but now sources close to the player claim the hearing will be rescheduled to the summer after the Premier League season finishes.”
Lucas Paqueta and West Ham will be thrilled with this development
Paqueta’s FA hearing being postponed until the summer is a significant relief for both him and the club.
This rescheduling clears the path for the Brazilian to focus exclusively on his football for the remainder of the season without the distraction of the ongoing match-fixing allegations.
The constant background noise from legal proceedings can be mentally draining, affecting a player’s performance and well-being.
Now, the attacking midfielder can channel all his energy into contributing on the pitch, where he has proven his worth to the Hammers.
His skills and presence on the field are vital for the team, especially as they aim for a strong second half of the season under Graham Potter.
This delay also allows Paqueta time to prepare his defence more thoroughly, potentially leading to a more favourable outcome and putting this entire thing to bed once and for all.
In other West Ham news, ExWHUEmployee has revealed the names of three players the club are targeting in the January transfer window.
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