There has been a crushing new Lucas Paqueta blow for West Ham this evening as a last-ditch appeal fails despite grave concerns.
On his day Lucas Paqueta is one of the best players in Europe and he’s shown that with West Ham.
But those days feel like a long while ago now.
Paqueta has been a shadow of his former self in 2024.
When that sudden investigation into the Brazilian’s alleged involvement in illegal betting over yellow cards landed at West Ham’s door last summer, it put paid to a “dream” move to Man City.
David Moyes and vice-chair Karren Brady have both confirmed since that West Ham were on the verge of signing Cole Palmer from Man City for around £40m until the collapse of the Paqueta deal scuppered that plan.
It’s enough to send a shiver down the spines of West Ham fans seeing what Palmer has done since at Chelsea.
Especially when you compare it to Paqueta’s own form since the charges emerged.
At first Paqueta seemed charged up by the situation. Like the Hammers star had a point to prove.
But as the reality of the potential fallout became clearer, he has looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Paqueta has been playing like it too.
Crushing new Paqueta blow for West Ham as appeal fails
A player of his talent should be the first name on West Ham’s teamsheet.
Instead he’s the first player Julen Lopetegui is bringing off.
Paqueta was hooked at half-time in the win over Man United. In fairness the Spaniard was doing him a kindness.
A figurative cloud has been hanging over Paqueta’s head for nearly 18 months.
And it will linger for at least another five it seems.
The FA’s case against him is set to be heard by an independent three-person panel in around March time.
If it finds against him, the 27-year-old playmaker could be banned from football for life.
From West Ham’s perspective Paqueta is a multi-million pound asset. So the club will be desperate to see him get off. Either way, it seems unlikely he will be with the Hammers next season.
Now there is a crushing new Paqueta blow for West Ham as last-ditch appeal fails.
The Hammers midfielder released a statement last week saying he faced an unfair hearing due to inaccurate leaks to the press about the case.
Since then Metropoles have reported that Paqueta and his uncle, Bruno Tolentino, have both been summoned to appear before the Sports Betting CPI – The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry – in Brazil.
Paqueta has been appealing demands for him to attend in person and pleading for the inquiry to be delayed.
Paqueta forced to give testimony despite grave concerns
There was a small win when Paqueta was told he could appear via Zoom.
But he and his advisors wanted the inquiry pushed back as they have serious concerns it could jeopardise his FA hearing here in the UK.
Lawyers defending Paqueta asked to postpone his testimony from the CPI hearing related to accusations of manipulating games.
But it’s been reported in Brazil that the commission has denied his appeal and insist he participates over Zoom on Wednesday (October 30).
It comes after Paqueta’s lawyers filed an official appeal request to postpone his testimony on the grounds that it could harm his defence in his FA case.
UOL and FOLHAPRESS via MSN have revealed the request of the West Ham star’s lawyers and the unequivocal response shutting it down.
“However, as Your Excellency must be aware, Mr. Paquetá is responding to certain allegations of violations of the rules set forth by the Football Association (‘FA’), the governing body responsible for English football. It is important to note that FA procedures are still underway, and Mr. Paquetá is currently preparing his defense, which is expected to be submitted in December 2024,” the lawyers put to the commission.
“Under these circumstances, we believe that his participation in a testimony before the CPI on the scheduled date could compromise the full exercise of his right to defence, leading to the risk of inconsistent decisions and unnecessary media speculation.”
The report confirms CPI President Jorge Kajuru rejected the postponement request, confirming that the testimony will proceed as planned on Wednesday.
It also states Paqueta’s hearing with the FA is scheduled for March 2025.
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