Lucas Paqueta ban latest: Stefan Borson drops strong verdict as West Ham fume
Lucas Paqueta is waiting to hear the outcome of his spot-fixing case as West Ham have been left fuming by the situation.
The 27-year-old is accused of picking up four bookings for the purpose of financial gain after being charged by the FA in May 2024.
The Brazil international picked up the yellow cards for West Ham in games against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023.
The midfielder continues to play for the Premier League side more than two years after the alleged offences took place.
Paqueta’s hearing started in March this year and ended in May, but a decision is yet to be delivered, with the FA seeking a lifetime ban.
The Sun reported on 7 July West Ham are furious the case has been allowed to drag on into another season.
However, finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it’s normal for a high-profile case of this nature to take a long time before a verdict is reached.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness revealed to Football Insider he’s been told Paqueta would be cleared of the charges against him.
West Ham right to be furious if Paqueta not guilty verdict delivered
Borson suggested West Ham would be right to be furious if Paqueta is proven not guilty.
He told Football Insider: “Well, there’s no point in being furious with the FA.
“It’s not the FA’s decision now anyway. It’s gone to an independent process, so it’s got nothing to do with the FA.
“It will take as long as it takes. You can’t really anyway be furious assuming that he’s done something. If he’s not done something, then they have every right to be furious.
“But if he’s done something, then you don’t have any right to be furious about anything. It’s just one of those things. There is nothing you can do about it.
“It’s like saying Manchester City are furious with the Premier League that their case has not been resolved yet, or that the Premier League are furious with Manchester City that the case hasn’t been resolved yet.
“It’s just the way it is. These cases take a long time to settle. I mean, in the background, there are lots of cases that are on the back burner.
“There’s the APT2 follow-on. Apparently, that’s not happening until October. That is just the nature of these processes.
“You have got the Mudryk situation that’s brewing as well, so there’s always loads of these high-profile cases.”
Luton Town and Reading race to sign West Ham star
In terms of a potential exit at the London Stadium, Football Insider revealed on 15 July West Ham star Gideon Kodua is wanted by Luton Town, Reading, Leyton Orient, and Stevenage.
The League One quartet have all expressed their interest in signing the 20-year-old forward on loan this summer.
Kodua has spent the past 18 months out on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, where he’s gained valuable first-team experience.
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