West Ham United face legal minefield amid Lucas Paqueta legal allegations
West Ham United risk entering a “legal minefield” over allegations against Lucas Paqueta, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported on its website on Tuesday (8 October) that the Hammers would not be in a strong legal position if they were to prematurely suspend the Brazilian international after he was charged with alleged spot-fixing.
However, the Brazilian national side would be able to suspend the attacking midfielder from international action without any risk because they are not bound by the same employment rules as club sides.
Paqueta was originally accused of being deliberately booked in the Premier League, which the player has denied, and now has two aggravated breaches for non-cooperation to his name [The Sun, 8 October].
What has happened to West Ham star Lucas Paqueta at the London Stadium?
It does seem as though West Ham’s hands are all but tied when it comes to Paqueta’s future at the London Stadium, especially while the midfielder’s case remains unheard.
The Hammers cannot suspend the Brazilian as they will risk violating employment law, but they equally won’t feel as though they can count on him to play week in and week out because of the fact he could be hit with a ban at any point.
To top all that off, what was once one of the Hammers’ most valuable assets in the squad is now all but worthless when it comes to transfer value as no club is going to be willing to stump up a big money fee for a player who could receive a lifetime ban.
Ultimately, Julen Lopetegui and the decision-makers around him at the London Stadium are just going to have to stick this one out and use Paqueta as much as they can before the FA make their final decision.
Hopefully, any punishment handed to the attacking midfielder won’t be as severe as was initially mooted so that he can continue to star for the Irons in the future.
In other West Ham news, Alan Shearer has made a new Jarrod Bowen admission after the Hammers’ win over Ipswich Town
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