West Ham star Lucas Paqueta could face a lifetime ban from football as he is expected to lose his fight against spot-fixing allegations, according to The Daily Mail. The Brazilian midfielder's case is being assessed under the civil law standard of "balance of probabilities" rather than the stricter criminal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt."
This lower burden of proof means the Football Association (FA) only needs to establish that it is more likely than not that the 27-year-old intentionally sought yellow cards to manipulate betting markets. West Ham insiders have criticized this process, describing it as "savage" and "very wrong" that a player's entire career could be jeopardized based on a marginal 51 percent probability.
The FA formally charged Paqueta with misconduct in May 2024, alleging that he deliberately received yellow cards in four separate Premier League matches to facilitate betting wins. The incidents reportedly occurred during games against Leicester City in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds United in May 2023, and Bournemouth in August of the same year.
Despite these challenges, West Ham have maintained their support for Paqueta as he attempts to clear his name. The Brazilian international has consistently denied all accusations and expressed his determination to prove his innocence. The proceedings are expected to begin this month and could extend over a three-week period. During this time, Paqueta will be allowed to continue playing for West Ham while the hearings are ongoing.
The midfielder has been absent from the West Ham lineup since their loss to Brentford due to an ankle injury. It remains uncertain whether he will be fit for selection when the team faces Newcastle United on Monday, as both Paqueta and the club hope for a resolution that will allow him to continue his footballing career without sanctions.
