Exclusive: ‘Lucas Paqueta to be cleared of betting charges amid David Moyes twist’
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta will have to wait even longer to discover his spot-fixing ban fate with the case now not set to finish until June – at the earliest.
The hearing ran for three weeks but has not yet been resolved, with Paqueta continuing to play for the Irons while he awaits a verdict after being charge of breaching betting rules.
The FA are pushing for the West Ham star to be banned for life by the independent three-person panel after accusing him of deliberately receiving bookings on four occasions.
He is being represented by a team including Nick De Marco KC, who has handled the high-profile cases involving Ivan Toney and Benjamin Mendy in recent years.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed what he has heard from the case.
‘Strong noises suggest Paqueta will be cleared’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness revealed he has heard “strong noises” which “suggest he [Paqueta] will be cleared”.
Paqueta saw a proposed mega-money move to Man City fall through in 2023 after news of an FA investigation emerged.
Wyness insisted the delay is not likely to mean new evidence has emerged – while the evidence he has heard suggests the midfielder could escape a ban.
| Appearances (Starts) | 31 (25) |
| Minutes Played | 2234 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Yellow Cards | 8 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think this delay will be anything to do with more evidence coming out.
“They’re saying it’s to do with the lawyers’ commitments, which can always be a convenient cover.
“It’s a shame it is hanging over his head for such a long time.
“I know the club initially asked for it to be moved back to the summer, and they’ve now ended up with the worst of both worlds – doing it during the season and now delaying it.
“I’m hearing strong noises coming out from the case to suggest he will be cleared.
“Moyes will testify on his behalf, and I’m starting to believe he will be cleared – based on everything I’m hearing.
“The evidence leaking out so far is certainly going in his favour.
“They’ll have to reconvene in a couple of months. It’s unfortunate, but hopefully he will be cleared.”
Potter makes huge West Ham demand
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 14 April that Graham Potter wants to be backed heavily in the transfer market this summer after his disappointing start to life at West Ham.
Potter has won just three of his 13 games in charge at the London Stadium, but sources say he is fully expected to lead West Ham into the 2025-26 campaign.
The ex-Chelsea boss, who signed a contract with the Irons running until June 2027, will get time to turn results around in the new campaign before his future is questioned.
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