New report on Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing charges reveals how much of next season West Ham star can play

Lucas Paqueta will be free to play for West Ham for most of next season despite facing spot-fixing charges.
Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association with four separate instances of spot-fixing.
The 28-year-old stands accused of deliberately getting himself booked during four Premier League matches.
It is one of the most serious cases of spot-fixing involving a top-flight player in England, and could land Paqueta with a lengthy ban.
However, the Brazil international can continue to play until the disciplinary process has been completed.
According to The Times, the outcome of the process could be delayed until the end of the 2024-25 season or beyond.
That is due to the complexity of the case; Paqueta’s lawyers say it will take many months to secure all the witness statements and relevant information they need for their defence.
That’s because the case spans three countries – England, Brazil and Spain – and involves a large number of people.
The charges allege that Paqueta got himself booked during matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth over the past two seasons so that “one or more persons” could profit financially.
The investigation that preceded the charges took eight months.
In September 2023, Brazilian outlet Globo reported that suspicious gambling patterns were identified in Brazil relating to Paqueta being booked against Aston Villa in March that year.
The bets were reportedly made using West Ham’s shirt sponsor Betway, via accounts belonging to people linked to Paqueta.
The FA initially gave the player until June 3 to respond to the charges, but his lawyers were granted an extension. English football’s governing body has refused to put a timescale on the case.
Paqueta has been linked with a move to Brazilian giants Flamengo this summer, but this latest development will give encouragement to new West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui that he can use the midfielder this season.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta could secure a surprise move away from the club this summer despite facing FA betting charges.
Paqueta impressed during his first season with the Hammers in 2022-23, prompting interest from Manchester City and several other major clubs.
However, the Brazilian’s future was cast into doubt last summer when the Football Association launched an investigation into suspected breaches of its betting regulations.
On May 23, 2024, the FA charged Paqueta with misconduct in relation to betting on four Premier League games. According to the formal charge, the player forced yellow cards in four matches between November 2022 and August 2023.
With no deadline set for the conclusion of the investigation, interest from City has cooled.
If found guilty, it is likely that Paqueta will receive a lengthy suspension.
It is a difficult situation for the midfielder, who is currently representing Brazil at the 2024 Copa America in the United States.
Yet despite the uncertainty regarding his future, former club Flamengo are reportedly working to bring Paqueta back to his homeland.
According to Brazilian publication Globo, Flamengo initiated talks with West Ham one month ago, and while talks are still at an early stage, there is optimism that a deal can be agreed.
The Brazilian giants – where Paqueta rose through the youth ranks before starting his professional career in 2016 – have made the midfielder their number on transfer priority, and want to bring him in as soon as possible so that he can play in the current stages of the Brasileirao, Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.
Flamengo feel that they can be a kind of refuge for the player, even if the FA hand him a suspension which is then implemented outside the UK by FIFA.
Paqueta is reportedly excited about the possibility of returning home, although negotiations are likely to be long, with West Ham preferring a permanent transfer and Flamengo eyeing up a loan deal.
Sources close to the player feel that leaving the Premier League could help Paqueta on a personal level as well as potentially mitigate a potential punishment.
West Ham would prefer not to lose Paqueta, but given the uncertainty regarding his future, they may take the opportunity to recoup part of the £51 million fee they paid for him in 2022.