West Ham frustrated as Lucas Paqueta set to face hearing over alleged spot fixing during Premier League season
LUCAS PAQUETA is expected to face his hearing over alleged spot fixing in March.
The West Ham star, 27, was hit with four charges of intentionally being booked by the FA in May after an investigation into irregular betting on Paqueta Island in Brazil.
Paqueta is alleged to have been intentionally booked in games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth dating back to November 202.
He could face a lifetime ban if found guilty.
The Brazil international has also been charged with two counts of failing to comply with the investigation.
West Ham are now expecting their star man to face a hearing in March next year, with some frustrated that it will come during the Premier League season.
The Hammers have given the former Lyon midfielder, who denies wrongdoing, their full backing.
However, some feel the charges are impacting his performances.
Paqueta endured a poor end to last season and has not improved under new manager Julen Lopetegui – with just one goal so far this season.
Lopetegui said recently Paqueta was handling the charges well but that they had not discussed the issue.
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He said: “He managed this in a good way, we try to help him because until now he is one player more.
“We don’t talk about this, we talk about football. The next match and about life but not about this.”
Lopetegui added: “I’m happy with his behaviour and his commitment.
“He’s working very hard, he’s trying to understand what we want.
“We’re trying to help him to be better and better.
“He’s an important player.”
The FOUR games Paqueta has been charged for
LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by the FA over four specific games...
FIRST INCIDENT – West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
The Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare from behind.
After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
SECOND INCIDENT – West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
Four months later against Aston Villa Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
THIRD INCIDENT – West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds at the London Stadium Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
The foul prevented the visitors from breaking on the counter attack.
FOURTH INCIDENT – Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.