By Hughie Southon
Paqueta timetable problems
Lucas Paqueta will hope not, but the current inquiry into the suggestions of improper betting charges against him could go on well into next year and even beyond.
Right now, the Football Association is looking at all the evidence they may have and information provided to them, before deciding whether a full investigation should follow.
The present probe could last up to four months or more and were a full investigation to follow another six months to a year could pass.
Paqueta unlike Ivan Toney before him would be declaring himself not guilty and therefore any “case ” would go on for much longer than in the Toney affair.
The FA – as is the case on most issues – refuse to pass any sort of comment, making one wonder why they bother to have a media department.
West Ham, too, are as unaware as the rest of us on how long Paqueta is going to live under the shadow here and at home in Brazil where a separate inquiry is being held.
Our top source at the club explained to us recently: “It’s a very complicated situation and a full investigation can only take place once the FA have studied the current position of which any details may have been provided. It’s very much a wait and see situation.”