Lucas Paquetá is being forced to wait to find out his fate, it has been confirmed today.
ExWHUEmployee led with a story on Monday suggesting that West Ham were aware the Football Association had reached their verdict on the midfielder’s alleged breaches of betting regulations. This news was confirmed to Claret & Hugh by a source close to the player — and now the national newspapers are beginning to report the same: the Lucas Paquetá trial has ended, but everyone will have to wait for the verdict and possible sentence.
The length of time West Ham and Paquetá will be left on tenterhooks seems to vary from 4 to 8 weeks, but either way, the delay feels entirely unnecessary.
While the FA have every right to investigate potential breaches of the rules, they also have a duty of care to every footballer in England — from grassroots players to Premier League stars.
And in the case of Paquetá, there’s a player seriously struggling to cope with the weight of two years of uncertainty surrounding the investigation.
Quite why the entire sordid affair has dragged on for two years is anyone’s guess. But one can only assume this hasn’t been the “slam dunk” case the FA had hoped for. If 24 months haven’t been enough to assess and determine a course of action, it’s hard to believe that a few extra weeks will make much difference.
Paqueta wipes tears from his eyes during the Spurs game
Paquetá and West Ham now find themselves trapped in a situation where the likelihood of probability has replaced the legal principle of beyond reasonable doubt. Factor in that the FA have appointed their own panel to oversee and adjudicate the proceedings — and we now have a situation where the prosecutors are also judge, jury, and executioner.
West Ham remain in a state of transfer limbo, unsure whether our record signing is a viable asset — and the player himself is staring down the barrel of a possible lifetime ban.
For heaven’s sake, can someone at St George’s Park please just make a decision and put everyone out of their misery?
The verdict – innocent or, more correctly, nothing proven.
Reason for delay? FA need assurances from Lucas Paqueta and West Ham that neither will enter into litigation to claim compensation against them.
The longer the delay- the more pressure (as if there hasn’t been enough already) is brought on LP and West Ham to accept FA terms.
Disgraceful.
COYI
This has now gone beyond stupidity.The F A are making monkeys out of themselves.2 years to gather evidence? Beyond a joke and will finally cost the “suits” alot of money when West Ham and Paqueta take them to court.If you have evidence then lets hear it or drop the case.Any more time is not warranted.
The lack of respect being shown by the FA is awful, to the player and club.
In presenting their verdict they will need to present their evidence, and if they push for a guilty verdict, their evidence had better be overwhelming.
The press will have a field day with them if it turns out half a dozen punters bet £10 on Paquetta getting a yellow card (only death and taxes are more certain).
If not guilty or overturned on appeal, both player and club should sue for loss of earnings (assuming WHU can show an approach for the player was withdrawn).
The player himself should be able to pursue damages for the toll this has taken on him personally.
All because the FA wanted to grandstand and bigoted themselves, rather than assess the accusations thoroughly before bringing charges.
Now they’re just trying to save face.
Very disappointing.
“Grandstand and big note”, not bigoted!
Something to be said for the lost art of proofreading. Oh dear.
I Just Googled this. Can a football club take the FA to court? Below is the answer I received:
A football club can take the FA (Football Association) to court, but this is typically done through internal appeals and then potentially to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The FA has its own disciplinary processes, and if a club is dissatisfied with a decision, it can appeal it through the FA’s internal system.
If the club is not satisfied with the outcome of that appeal, it can potentially take the matter to CAS, an international court for sporting disputes.
I know one thing. This is going to cost the FA …. A LOT OF MONEY!!!
They will end up in court and will lose.
If i was West Ham i would have sued The FA last year they obviously haven’t got any evidence and if found guilty then he is well within his right’s to appeal which will take another year if the last 2 years is anything to go by
Appeal, then drag that out for 2 years…..
FA don’t care about anyone but themselves. Hope it works out well for Paqueta and he sues them for all he can get. The club should do the same.
The only criminal acts committed here are by the FA and Betway . A greedy gambling company complaining when they lose a few thousand and the FA now purposely dragging out the verdict in order to sabotage another transfer window for Westham . Make no mistake a delayed verdict will scupper any chance for Westham to sign a quality replacement and could prove to be the difference in relegation or salvation .
It’s disgusting it really is. Their treatment of him is criminal. They have articles on their website about mental health while destroying his.
100 % agree with your article and comments