Latest news with #LucasPaqueta
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta is baptised as he anxiously awaits verdict for spot-fixing trial which could see him face LIFETIME ban
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been baptised amid an anxious wait for the result of his FA spot-fixing trial. The Brazilian has been awaiting a verdict for nearly two years after an investigation into whether he intentionally collected cautions in four Premier League fixtures began in August 2023. Paqueta was charged by the FA in May 2024 and could face a lifetime ban if he is found guilty. The trial cost the 27-year-old a £80million move to Manchester City and West Ham boss Graham Potter admitted it had taken a mental and physical toll on the midfielder. He insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing and his wife Maria Fournier previously claimed the couple have been 'living this nightmare for two years'. The trial finally concluded last week but West Ham were warned it could take another four to eight weeks for Paqueta's fate to be revealed. The 27-year-old was baptised amid an anxious wait for the result of this spot-fixing trial As he nervously waits to see if his Premier League career is over, Paqeuta was baptised in front of his wife and Flamengo forward Pedro Guilherme. Wife Fournier shared snaps of the baptism, which took place in a swimming pool, alongside the caption: 'Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, EVERYTHING HAS BECOME NEW! 'My husband was born again!!' Paqueta's trial has been described as the most high‑profile corruption case in English football since Bruce Grobbelaar was acquitted of conspiring to fix five Premier League games in a criminal trial 27 years ago. The attacking midfielder could be banned for life if the panel examining the evidence decide he was involved in a conspiracy to collect cards in order to influence betting outcomes. While there is not yet any indication over whether he will be found innocent or guilty once the verdict arrives, West Ham sources have long feared the odds are stacked against them due to the FA's standard of proof being based on a 'balance of probabilities', which is usual in civil cases, as opposed to the more rigorous 'beyond a reasonable doubt' for those accused of criminal offences. Paqueta broke down in tears during one home game with Tottenham towards the end of last season when he received a yellow card, in a sign of the toll being taken on him. He did not start another game for West Ham under manager Potter after that Spurs incident. Mail Sport revealed that Paqueta was being investigated on August 18, 2023 and the FA formally charged him on May 23, 2024 with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing their investigation. Insiders say Paqueta mentally built himself up for the beginning of his hearing on March 17, originally believing it would last no longer than three weeks. However, the scale of the evidence being evaluated meant it was not concluded within that timeframe, and further complications arose when it had to be placed on hiatus, seemingly because of scheduling issues surrounding those involved.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Kudus can go but for the right price' - fan views on deadline day
We asked for your views on whether West Ham need to act urgently in the transfer market, as the first of the two deadline days this summer comes to a close on are some of your comments:James: Not expecting anything overly dramatic but feel at some point Mohammed Kudus and or Lucas Paqueta will go. Goalkeeper and centre-forward would be ideal positions to I can't see any movement in and would be very surprised if anyone left for a fee before Tuesday. The club are blaming PSR and say they need money before they spend. So can't really see any movement in this part of the No need to panic, but we need to improve the squad. Senior players that have left need replacing. A goalkeeper, playmaker and striker. Kudus can go but for the right price. We've gone back to being a selling club. Potter needs to address That we didn't try for Caoimhin Kelleher was disappointing and he went for a bargain price. Now Harvey Elliott could be available, we need players like him with that energy. Go get him! Whatever West Ham need to do, do the business early and not late on. I'm not optimistic for the coming season. Nothing to do with Graham Potter - just the malaise at the Don't expect anything in this window. Same as usual - loads of speculation and no action. Wasted. £150m+ last season and now we're broke! Something massively wrong with the club now. Very disheartening for all us fans of a once great club.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Lucas Paqueta's spot-fixing hearing FINALLY ends almost two years after investigation began - as timeline to discover West Ham star's fate is revealed
Lucas Paqueta's FA spot-fixing hearing has finally concluded, with the Brazilian now anxiously awaiting a verdict nearly two years after the investigation began and one which will determine whether he can still call himself a professional footballer. However, senior sources at West Ham are not happy after being warned it could take another four to eight weeks for Paqueta's fate to be revealed, with Mail Sport breaking the news back in August 2023 that the FA were investigating their playmaker for potentially picking up yellow cards on purpose. Speaking anonymously, those Hammers insiders have called for a faster conclusion after his long-awaited hearing, which began nearly three months ago on March 17, ended this week. They say the prolonged wait only adds to the mental anguish on Paqueta, who has struggled to cope with the crushing pressure of his career being on the chopping block, while claiming it is throwing their own transfer plans into serious uncertainty as they head into the summer window. Paqueta, who insists he is innocent of any wrongdoing, faces a potential life ban if the panel examining the evidence decide he was involved in a conspiracy to collect cautions in four Premier League fixtures in order to influence betting outcomes. While there is not yet any indication over whether he will be found innocent or guilty once the verdict arrives, West Ham sources have long feared the odds are stacked against them due to the FA's standard of proof being based on a 'balance of probabilities', which is usual in civil cases, as opposed to the more rigorous 'beyond a reasonable doubt' for those accused of criminal offences. It has been described as the most high‑profile corruption case in English football since Bruce Grobbelaar was acquitted of conspiring to fix five Premier League games in a criminal trial 27 years ago. Paqueta broke down in tears during one home game with Tottenham towards the end of last season when he received a yellow card, in a sign of the toll being taken on him. His wife, Duda, released a statement afterwards describing the last two years as a 'nightmare' for her husband, who did not start another game for West Ham under manager Graham Potter after that Spurs incident. Mail Sport revealed that Paqueta was being investigated on August 18, 2023 and the FA formally charged him on May 23, 2024 with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing their investigation. Insiders say Paqueta mentally built himself up for the beginning of his hearing on March 17, originally believing it would last no longer than three weeks. However, the scale of the evidence being evaluated meant it was not concluded within that timeframe, and further complications arose when it had to be placed on hiatus, seemingly because of scheduling issues surrounding those involved. Paqueta and West Ham must now wait to discover whether he has won his seismic fight after a trial in which David Moyes, his former manager who is now in charge of Everton, even acted as a witness on his behalf in a bid to clear his name. The FA and West Ham were contacted for comment.
BBC News
03-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'It's not a one-window fix for Potter'
It seems like every single summer is a 'big one for West Ham'. This summer, though, is probably as big as it is going to all of the success David Moyes brought to the club, the struggle and disappointment the 2024-25 campaign has led to so much work needing to be done in order to get the club back towards where it arguably should be - competing for European Potter was able to make some improvements after replacing Julen Lopetegui in January but it is plainly obvious it will need more than one summer to fix all of the problems he inherited in east again, we need a striker. One who can both score goals and stay fit, not just one or the the midfield is in need of an overhaul. All season it looked slow, unbalanced and largely ineffective. It means there are serious questions over the futures of Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez and James there is the question marks over Lucas Paqueta, who failed to register an assist in 2024-25, and Mohammed Kudus, whose performances throughout the campaign failed emphatically to explain why anyone would even consider paying £80m-plus for his services this is made all the worse by the fact we are hearing rumours the club cannot afford another summer of big do I expect to happen? A handful of free transfers and a bunch of relatively unknown players who will arrive from the continent for bargain might be one or two 'big signings' made possible by the sale of Paqueta or Kudus - perhaps both - but it is likely to be a relatively underwhelming window on the than that, we have to make peace with the fact this will not be a one-window fix for more from James Jones at We Are West Ham, external
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Upset Lucas Paqueta becoming ILL due to match fixing probe delay, claims West Ham boss Graham Potter
It is also an emotional time for four other Hammers PAQ IT IN Upset Lucas Paqueta becoming ILL due to match fixing probe delay, claims West Ham boss Graham Potter Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Graham Potter claims Lucas Paqueta's match-fixing probe is making the West Ham star ill Credit: Getty 3 Potter wants the issue resolved quickly Credit: Getty 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.' 3 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.'
