Westham’s Lucas Paqueta set for lifetime ban

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to face an FA hearing later this month over allegations of match-fixing in four matches.

The case has sparked significant interest, and The West Ham Way podcast, hosted by an anonymous club insider with the handle ExWHUEmployee, has provided an in-depth analysis of the situation.

ExWHUEmployee revealed that he recently interviewed an expert in betting, match-fixing, and gambling integrity to shed light on the case.

While the expert’s identity remains protected, the discussion offered crucial insights into the charges, the evidence, and the potential outcomes for Paqueta.

Diaspora Digital Media brings you the transcript of the interview:

*What Are the Charges Against Lucas Paqueta?

The charges against Paqueta relate to sport-fixing in four matches for financial gains.

His family members in Brazil were discovered to have placed bets on outcomes of those matches.

Sport-fixing involves manipulating specific elements of a match that are not directly tied to the final result, such as receiving a yellow card or committing a foul at a particular time.

*How Was Paqueta Found Out?

There have been several myths surrounding how the allegations came to light. One common misconception is that West Ham’s shirt sponsor, Betway, flagged Paqueta’s actions.

However, this is not entirely accurate.

Betway, like many other betting companies, has automatic alerts set up for markets that are easiest to manipulate, such as bookings.

During the season in question, an automatic alert was triggered for a Paqueta card.

This is akin to a smoke alarm going off when it detects smoke – no human intervention was involved.

The actual evidence used by the FA is believed to come from multiple games and betting companies, not just Betway.

*How Likely Is a Conviction?

The FA’s case will rely on the balance of probabilities rather than proving intent beyond a reasonable doubt.

This means they will assess whether it is more likely than not that Paqueta intentionally manipulated events during the matches.

One of the challenges in such cases is proving intent, as it is impossible to read a player’s mind during a game.

Many past fixing cases have failed due to this hurdle.

*What About the Charges in Brazil?

While charges against Paqueta have been dropped in Brazil, the FA’s case is expected to be more thorough.

The FA will provide detailed written reasons and a full description of the case once it concludes.

*What Does “Balance of Probabilities” Mean?
The FA will use experts to analyze each incident and pair it with other evidence, such as phone records or betting patterns.

If the evidence suggests that Paqueta likely manipulated events, he could be found guilty.

*What Punishment Could Paqueta Face?

If found guilty, Paqueta could face severe consequences.

Reports suggest the FA is seeking a lifetime ban, which would effectively end his professional football career.

*What Happens to West Ham if Paqueta Is Banned?

West Ham United would likely lose Paqueta’s market value if he receives a long-term ban.

While the club works hard to train players and warn them about their conduct, it is unclear whether they would recover any financial losses through insurance.

*When Will the Outcome Be Known?

The hearing is expected to last three weeks, after which a verdict will be announced.

*Are There Similar Cases in Football?

Yes, there have been similar cases in football. One notable example is Bradley Wood of Lincoln City, who received a six-year ban in 2017 for intentionally receiving yellow cards during FA Cup matches.

It’s important to note that cases involving players like Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali are different.

Toney and Tonali were banned for betting on football matches, not for manipulating match events.

*Can Paqueta Appeal the Decision?

If found guilty, Paqueta is expected to appeal the decision.

The appeal process could take considerable time, and he would likely be suspended from playing during the appeal.

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