West Ham reveal Paqueta ban plan to Claret & Hugh
Claret & Hugh have this morning learnt the full extent and timeline of Lucas Paqueta’s imminent FA hearing for betting charges, and it isn’t good news.
We spoke to a top source at the London Stadium to clarify recent rumours that the hearing was happening in March. However, during the exchange, we got more than we bargained for as the West Ham insider laid out the full schedule, including when any ban could be imposed.
C&H were told: “The hearing starts around March 20th and lasts for two weeks. Then they’ll [The FA] make a decision. If found guilty, they may take a few weeks to decide on the punishment.”
Astonishing stuff, and what it actually means could send shockwaves through West Ham, with our prized playmaker likely to be either acquitted or banned before the end of April.
In real terms, and in a worst-case scenario, it could mean a lifetime ban for Hammers record signing Paqueta, but one would expect any such decision to be appealed.
C&H have been informed by West Ham that Paqueta has appointed his own legal team to represent him.
Part of the issue is that the FA are not a proper legal court, therefore do not have to prove beyond reasonable doubt, as a CPS prosecution would.
Unfortunately, West Ham have previously been on the wrong end of dubious dealings with Tevez (Which cost £20mil.+ comp. Plus a record £5.5mil.).
And yet somehow, Javier Mascherano was allowed to play for Liverpool, his 3rd team in a year, which broke the rules….
Shameful episode. FA do not have a leg to stand on. FA also have nothing to lose. Or that should be – the faceless individuals at the FA have nothing to lose. Meanwhile, as they dither and delay, hoping to find some wrongdoing from somewhere, Paqueta’s life and career is in turmoil.
They will get away from the process without impunity. Happy to say that they acted professionally in these circumstances having given every opportunity for ‘both sides’ to report and defend. They will take no responsibility for their pathetic actions. Shallow people in jobs which ought to be occupied by appointees with practical gravitas.
The same shower that are hoping that Manchester City are going to capitulate and declare that their creative accounting broke the rules. The FA don’t understand their own rules and are a bunch of highly paid individuals out of their depth overseeing an industry too far beyond them.
COYI
The total alleged betting fraud is about $100,000 which is 4 days pay for Paqueta and he doesn’t make any money for it . Who would risk their multi million life style for nothing . Remember this ‘story ‘ came out right before the proposed 85 million deal to Man City . There may be forces at work trying to severely damage Westham as this cost Westham 85 million and destroyed Paqueta’s form while Westham still had to pay him . Westham could sue for hundreds of millions in damages if Paqueta is acquitted . Watch this space because the FA will likely find him guilty of not handing over his phone the second time just to avoid being sued .
If he’s acquitted, I wonder if it’s possible to claim compensation for the grief caused to the club and player, you can’t make accusations in normal life .
“our prized playmaker” he’s not been that since his head left for Manchester City. He’s been poor and a massive problem for us. Saturday showed Kudus is far better without the tricks and flicks which more often than not give the ball away and slow our play down from Paqueta and the drive and simple hard work of Alvares and JWP.
There’s no smoke without fire?
Yeah, happy with that. It just needs to get resolved so he (and we) can move on. Cannot imagine how tough it’s been living with this threat over his head for so long, and it’s shameful how long it has taken for the investigation to conclude.
It’s good news that at least some result will happen soon, hopefully he gets acquitted as the evidence seems to be hearsay and you can’t convict someone in a normal court without proof.