Upset Lucas Paqueta becoming ILL due to match fixing probe delay, claims West Ham boss Graham Potter
LUCAS PAQUETA is getting ill and feeling stressed by the delay to his spot-fixing probe.
And West Ham boss Graham Potter wants the FA to resolve his case before next season so the club know if he will be part of a rebuild.
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In May 2024, the Brazilian playmaker, 27, was charged with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing an FA investigation.
This followed allegations he intentionally got a yellow card for betting purposes in four Prem games between November 2022 and August 2023.
The club say they have NO idea when the findings of this will be revealed, so do not know if he will be banned for life or found not guilty.
Being in limbo is taking its toll on Paqueta, who denies any wrongdoing, and he broke down in tears of frustration after being booked in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on May 4.
Today's clash against seventh-placed Nottingham Forest is the Hammers' final home match of the season and it could be the last time he ever dons the claret-and-blue colours.
He was an unused sub against Manchester United last week with a cold.
Potter said: 'The week he had was particularly tough for him personally, which I think everybody can understand.
'And then, as a result of that, he was feeling under the weather on the day before the game at Manchester United and during the game.
'So I didn't want to risk him and make it worse for him. But he's trained really well, he wants to be part of the team to help and we'll see how to use him for the weekend.'
When he broke down in tears against Spurs, wife Duda Fournier took to Instagram to express her concerns about her husband's mental state.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta charged with betting breaches
She said: 'My husband has a posture and a strength that I admire and impresses me. We have been living this nightmare for two years.'
Asked if the situation was taking its toll on Paqueta, Potter replied: 'Obviously, you know what it's like, sometimes you are in stress and pressure, it can manifest itself in a different way.'
Asked if he wants clarity by the start of next season, Potter said: 'For everybody concerned, yes. The sooner the better for everyone.
'In fairness to Lucas, he's handled it brilliantly. Generally he's come in and conducted himself in a really good way. He's just ready to help the team.
'I think coming into work is a distraction for him. It takes his mind off things.
'For me, I'm just there to support him, the same with his team-mates.'
The FA declined to comment when approached by SunSport.
It will be an emotional afternoon in East London also for the likes of Aaron Cresswell, Lukasz Fabianski, Vladimir Coufal and Danny Ings.
The quartet, who were part of the 2023 Conference League-winning squad, have not been offered new contracts and will leave this summer.
Czech defender Coufal, 32, joined in 2020 from Slavia Prague.
And in a message to Hammers fans, he said: 'I knew that once this time would come but I could not imagine how emotional it would be for me and my family.
'I can say with all honesty in my heart that I enjoyed every minute of being at West Ham. I am taking a lot of unforgettable memories with me.'
Yet there are NO guarantees any of them will play a role today and be given a proper send-off as Potter is eyeing up a possible 13th-place finish.
He added: 'There's a lot at stake in the Premier League in terms of our points and what Forest are fighting for, so we have to make sure we pick the right team to try to win.
'Of course, emotion is always part of football so that can help. But we have to make the decision based on everything to try to win.'
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