Lucas Paqueta’s deal would be terminated by West Ham if any potential ban he receives is longer than the length of his contract, according to Sean Whetstone.
Writing via his West Ham Football account on X (25 May), Whetstone revealed that the club have no insurance policy, meaning they won’t receive any compensation if Paqueta is found guilty of spot-fixing
The midfielder was charged by the FA on Thursday (23 May), having been accused of intentionally receiving bookings on four different occasions, charges that the player denies.
Whetstone goes on to reveal that club insiders fear Paqueta could face a lifetime ban should the tribunal go against him “as it is based on balance of probabilities and not beyond all reasonable doubt.”
Lucas Paqueta might never play for West Ham United again
There is a lot of uncertainty around Paqueta and not just his Hammers future but his football future right now.
What everyone will hope is that with these charges being announce so soon after the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign, a verdict will likely be reached before the 2024/25 season gets underway in August.
Paqueta has three years remaining on his deal at the London Stadium, so if Whetsone is correct then it would purely depend on the length of punishment if he is found guilty, with the player maintaining he has committed no offence.
If Paqueta does have his West Ham contract terminated, it would be an incredibly sad end to a very talented footballer’s Premier League career.
Moreover, it would mean the club would lose out on what would have been a huge transfer fee, which could have a knock-on effect on incomings this summer as they look to add to the squad for new boss Julen Lopetegui. It really is a mess of a situation right now.
West Ham have NO insurance cover if Lucas Paqueta is found guilty of spot fixing. Club insiders fear he could be banned for life if the tribunal goes against him as it is based on balance of probabilities and not beyond all reasonable doubt.
For Lopetegui, this is far from an ideal start to life in East London, and the 57-year-old will be desperate to ensure that this case doesn’t change his summer plans.
