West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set to stand trial on Monday, facing four separate spot-fixing charges along with two additional counts.
The trial comes nearly 19 months after initial accusations of his alleged involvement in illegal betting and follows a nine-month FA investigation that led to formal charges in May last year.
With the FA pushing for a lifetime ban if he is found guilty, the upcoming match against Everton could mark Paquetá’s final appearance for West Ham or any other club.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the 27-year-old Brazilian has consistently maintained his innocence, vowing last week that he “won’t rest until he has cleared his name.” In preparation for the legal battle, Paquetá has enlisted a high-profile lawyer to challenge the FA’s case.
The charges stem from four bookings Paquetá received during Premier League matches against Leicester City (November 12, 2022), Aston Villa (March 12, 2023), Leeds United (May 21, 2023), and AFC Bournemouth (August 12, 2023).
The FA alleges that Paquetá deliberately sought to influence these matches by intentionally receiving yellow cards to manipulate betting outcomes for financial gain.
Video footage of the incidents has been widely circulated on social media and will be presented as evidence before an independent three-person panel.
Alongside the spot-fixing allegations under FA Rule E5.1, Paquetá also faces two breaches of FA Rule F3 for allegedly failing to comply with FA Rule F2.
The FA has allocated three weeks for the trial, two of which coincide with the international break, as West Ham anxiously awaits the outcome of a case that could have significant implications for both the player and the club.
Why are West Ham worried about the Paqueta case?
West Ham have remained firmly supportive of Lucas Paquetá throughout his legal battle, despite the allegations derailing his proposed £85 million transfer to Manchester City.
The collapsed move, which would have brought Cole Palmer to the Hammers, was confirmed by both former manager David Moyes and vice-chair Karren Brady.
There have been reports suggesting that Paquetá may sue the FA for loss of earnings due to the failed transfer.
However, any legal action would depend on him being cleared of the charges. Meanwhile, the FA has maintained that it will not comment further until the trial concludes.
West Ham have also remained largely silent on the matter, only confirming that the trial will begin on Monday. However, there are concerns within the club about the potential outcome.
Paquetá is not only a vital player but also an asset with a book value of £20 million—funds that West Ham desperately need as they navigate PSR restrictions while facing £80 million in financial losses.
Senior club sources have reportedly expressed doubts about a favorable verdict, believing the odds are stacked against them and their player.
West Ham insiders have described the trial as “savage” and believe it is “very wrong” that Paquetá’s career could be jeopardized based on a potential “51 percent” guilty verdict.
How will the Paqueta trial be decided?
West Ham’s primary concern revolves around the standard of proof required for Lucas Paquetá’s trial, which is based on the “balance of probabilities.” This standard applies to all civil cases, including FA regulatory proceedings, and differs significantly from the “beyond a reasonable doubt” threshold used in criminal trials.
In simple terms, the FA only needs to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that Paquetá engaged in spot-fixing by deliberately receiving bookings to manipulate betting markets during West Ham matches.
Under FA regulations, their Regulatory Commissions use this civil standard when ruling on cases. Adding to West Ham’s worries, the FA has spent months gathering and analyzing evidence and is pushing for a lifetime ban if Paquetá is found guilty.
Despite the mounting pressure, the Brazilian midfielder remains firm in his stance, insisting on his innocence and believing he will be cleared of all allegations. With the trial now imminent, both Paquetá and West Ham will soon learn their fate.
