Lucas Paquetá has received an incredible amount of support from both the West Ham fanbase and the club itself.
Quite rightly, both have carried on regardless, with a presumption of innocence on the Brazilian’s part following accusations that he fixed the outcome of yellow cards to win money from a betting company.
In many respects, the fanbase has been so loyal to the player that the presumption has actually turned into an expectation that Paquetá will be acquitted and exonerated of all charges.
In the West Ham pantomime, which has been ongoing for over 14 months, the Hammers’ record signing is the wrongly accused hero, while the FA plays the role of the evil ugly sisters.
Therefore, I tentatively address the elephant in the room by asking the most awkward of questions: What if he is actually guilty?
I feel dirty and unsupportive for even bringing it up, but the sequence of events over the past few days has led me to consider the most uncomfortable of truths.
Paqueta receives a yellow for West Ham
The FA has added two new charges of obstruction, Paquetá’s uncle has admitted to winning money from yellow cards, and both Spanish and Brazilian authorities appear to be running parallel investigations into the alleged misdemeanours which appear to involve more than just the player himself.
West Ham’s own sponsor, Betway, has supplied evidence, and the FA has requested a second look at the Hammers’ record signing’s phone, collecting data from his bank transactions, call logs, and messages.
Paquetá’s uncle and cousin allegedly paid former Real Betis forward Luiz Henrique over £5,000 shortly after Henrique received two controversial yellow cards, which led La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation to open an investigation.
To put it mildly, the evidence doesn’t look good, and the FA appears to be pushing for a lifetime ban.
I’ve no doubt that Paquetá appreciates the loyalty the West Ham family has shown him. But the club must be preparing a contingency plan in the event of the worst happening, which, I hate to say, is looking far more likely.
Well said Neil Down Under – as usual your post makes sense
If gambling can’t be completely outlawed at least outlaw spot betting which includes yellow cards – I suppose that players can rationalize it – if I get a yellow card near the halfway line after 80 minutes my team won’t suffer so I haven’t done anything wrong – its a bit like the Pakistani fast bowler (I think it was Amir) who deliberately bowled no-balls (and ended up with a massive ban and never fulfilled his promise)
So maybe – a bit like Payet – Paqueta will turn out to be a two season wonder
What I don’t understand (and maybe it is because I am not an addicted gambler) is why Paqueta didn’t just get his wallet out and give each family member $5k. He makes $7.8M a year, so out of 1 week’s pay he could give each of 20 family members/friends $5k and still have $62,500 left. Never mind the other 51 weeks or marketing deals etc. which he now stands to lose. I have a problem resolving this and the statements about how smart these guys are.
That’s the crazy thing, the amounts aren’t life changing even in Brazil, but the risk to Paqueta’s future income is massive. Still innocent until proven guilty…
When the outcome arrives, it is what it is. No one player is bigger than the club. We bought in Summerville, play Kudus central, Bowen right. Fulkrug will come in eventually too, and they didn’t buy Guilherme on a whim. The club have prepared for this eventuality.
Oh geez. Of course he’s guilty, but can they prove it?
Do you think these institutions go after a player without incredible evidence? There’s a whistleblower, probably a family member who’s provided information to save themselves from serious jail time. If they can prove it he’s done. The other part of this is he’s just not playing well for us anymore. He loses the ball way more frequently than he produces a goal winning pass. We can definitely replace him, do quite honestly who cares?
It’s Betway that I dislike. Grasses.
Could have at least waited until City had taken him off our hands.
I don’t really care if he’s cost the bookies some money.
Best reply, hate the amount of betting that is thrust in our faces.
In Australia you hear kids talk about their teams chances of winning using odds 🤬, sh**ts me to tears.
Plus, dobbing in one if your own? Give them a touch up, yes. Rat them out, no.
So a company being defrauded should take it on the chin? Pleeeze.
Couldn’t care, online gambling destroys lives. Do I expect a moral free business to suddenly develop a conscience? No.
But if for once they lose, and lose big, especially if like their business model, the way they lose is unethical. I won’t be losing any sleep.
No I don’t agree a professional player should act in a way that brings a cloud of suspicion on them and their team.
But it’s not like casinos haven’t been cleaning money for years.
Maybe, just outlaw gambling, problem solved.