West Ham playmaker Lucas Paquetá is expected to take the field for the Hammers’ clash against Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday night.
However, the Premier League fixture coincides with the conclusion of the Brazilian’s FA hearing into alleged betting breaches. The Football Association is now expected to take an extended period to deliberate on their verdict.
Within the past hour, a top source has informed Claret & Hugh: “This could continue for a third week.”
With little information leaking from the hearing, and no indication of the thinking from the three-man panel, news of a possible extension is neither a positive nor negative sign—it simply signals that the process is far from over. The hearing was expected to be concluded within two weeks so this latest twist could be new evidence or any number of things.
What it does mean, however, is that Paquetá is free to play against Wolves, with a final decision not expected until the end of next week at the earliest.
The Hammers’ record signing is not required to attend each day of the hearing in person and is expected to travel with the squad to the Midlands ahead of Tuesday’s match.
FA still hopeful of a plea deal?
Outcome will be ‘after full and lengthy deliberation of the charges against Mr Paqueta, the FA are prepared to give Mr Paqueta the benefit of the doubt on this occasion. Consequently there will be no further sanctions arising from this inquiry. However, the FA ask Mr Paqueta to look to the future with regard to his conduct.’
Everyone just walks away – no compensation for anyone – no blame attached to anyone – no claims for costs to be entertained by anyone. And the FA will be expecting Lucas Paqueta to thank them for their diligence and their efforts. No heads will roll at the FA.
So it’s the “FA’s Judicial Panel” not an independent panel, as I’ve said in a previous comment a kangaroo court & any decision they make against Paquetta would be appealed in a court of law not this Mickey Mouse fiasco. I believe the FA are chasing their tails as they don’t have the evidence to convict otherwise they’d have done it a long time ago & will try to convict him of a lesser charge of not supplying his phone the second time they asked for it (they already took all the data from it) which is an absolute joke as again that would not stand up in a court of law. I think the FA are worried now about being sued by both Paquetta & WHU.
The rules say there is no appeal to a court of law. Appeal is to an FA Appeal board.
The courts won’t get involved.
Rules may say that Forkbeard. But to deprive a man of his ability to be employed without due proof of guilt of committing any breach of rules is against the human rights of that man. PFA will also need to become involved in this outcome too. That is unless they are being bought by FA.
The corrupt FA will find Pac-Man guilty because he will sue the FA into extinction? What scum we have running the beautiful game? Probably run by paedophiles like every government institution?
Thank god, I was really worried you were going to say something super unhinged for a second there! Phew what a close call!
🤣😂 we’ve got the tinfoil hatters infiltrating our fan base now
is that a question is it? ok. NOPE
I just can’t see how the FA can win the case because they’re basing it on 4 specific bookings on a player whose disciplinary record has been pretty poor for his entire career.
Like at all clubs, he’s played 237 league games and has 52 yellows. Domestic cups, 31 games, 5 yellows. Continental cups, 45 games, 11 yellows. For Brazil he’s had 55 caps, 11 bookings. So in 368 games, that’s 79 yellow cards.
You might go “Ah, it’s not that bad…” but Roy Keane in 639 club matches picked up 104 yellows and in 67 internationals another 10 so he actually picked up less per game than Paqueta did. You basically have a good chance of making money on Paqueta picking up a yellow in any given match.
I think the club has played this well by keeping quiet. The FA must be wondering what could be unleashed if they screw up here. Whatever the verdict the FA comes out of this looking rather ridiculous.
If he loses he’ll go straight to court where the FA would need hard evidence to win.Either way I guess West Ham sue FA for lost value on Man City deal.
Nope – there is no appeal to a court. It’s a contractual matter where the procedure is set out in the contract through the club’s membership of the FA. Appeal is to an FA appeal panel.
That was not case in the Bosman ruling.
Sounds like they’re struggling. If they fail to make this stick, the sales of Kudus and Paqueta in the summer would present Potter with a vast amount for his rebuild.
Gonzo I think the FA are desperately trying to find something so they don’t lose face.
They’ve been digging around for a long time.
Stick up comes to mind COYI
100% agree Mike, they are struggling to find anything which is concrete, hence the delay.
Brilliant! TBH I’ve been expecting the whole charade to be dismissed before now because there’s clearly no substantial evidence to even come close to probability linking him to the charge’s especially as the amounts stacked are relatively small amounts which would indicate a lack of expectation and more an improbable punt on his previous track record. You could probably make a better case for the likely hood on betting on Alvarez to pick a yellow more than Paqueta so it’s a nonsense for the FA to continue this witch-hunt and it’s almost certain to be appealed on drag on some more.