‘What were they thinking?’ – Surprising Lucas Paqueta verdict detail leaked after West Ham star escapes ban
The details of the verdict involving West Ham United’s star midfielder Lucas Paqueta hve been revealed, after the Brazilian escaped a ban.
Paqueta’s spot-fixing investigation took place across the summer with many believing the potential of a ban limited West Ham’s options of selling the midfielder.
Since returning to the Hammers’ line up the midfielder has scored two goals in three games, the second of which, Paqueta used as an opportunity to announce to the West Ham faithful that he was staying at the club amidst interest from Aston Villa.
The FA’s investigation eventually found Paqueta not guilty on spot-fixing charges and the details of their verdict have today been released.
Lucas Paqueta found not guilty
Despite the allegations hanging over his head Paqueta has started the season well, and will be hoping to be an integral part of the club’s fight for Premier League survival.
After the FA revealed the findings earlier today (September 3), Kieran Maguire took to X (formerly Twitter) to give his take on the proceedings: “Reading the Paqueta verdict (having no friends has some benefits) the FA did not call an expert witness. Staggering, it caused me to drop my bacon sandwich. What on earth were they thinking?”
Maguire went on to post a further part of the verdict report that suggested the FA’s approach to the hearing was incoherent.
Paqueta escaped what was certain to be a lengthy ban if he had been found guilty, and now an under pressure Graham Potter and his squad will have to put the case behind them, and focus on building on from their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
Graham Potter buys himself time
Football Insider verdict
Having lost their opening two Premier League games by an aggregate score of 8-1, it was understandable that numerous West Ham fans were apprehensive about their fortunes this season.
Their 3-0 away loss to newly promoted Sunderland was particularly humbling before being “slaughtered” 5-1 by Chelsea, in the words of talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan.
| Opponent | Score |
| vs Sunderland (A) | 0-3 |
| vs Chelsea (H) | 1-5 |
| vs Wolves (A) (Carabao Cup) | 2-3 |
| vs Nottingham Forest (H) | 3-0 |
For 80 minutes of their match against Forest, the football was attritional, but once Potter deployed Crycensio Summerville, who had recently returned from injury, the game burst into life.
A quick fire double from Jarrod Bowen and then Paqueta were both set up by Summerville’s explosive pace, before a Callum Wilson header secured all three points for Potter’s side.
Having also welcomed the late additions of Mateus Fernandes, Soungoutou Magassa, and Igor Julio, there is buoyed optimism in East London, that Potter can turn things around after the international break.