West Ham star Lucas Paqueta faces uncertainty over potential lifetime ban

Lucas Paqueta’s future is shrouded in uncertainty as he faces the possibility of a lifetime ban from football amid his ongoing spot-fixing trial.

According to the Daily Mail, the Brazilian midfielder may miss West Ham’s upcoming match against Wolves due to the emotional and psychological toll of the trial.

The Brazil international is under investigation for allegedly intentionally receiving four yellow cards in separate matches to influence betting outcomes.

This raises the prospect of a potential lifetime ban from the sport. In response, West Ham has left the decision to Paqueta, allowing him to choose whether he feels ready to play.

Sources quoted by the Daily Mail suggest that Paqueta has struggled with the personal impact of the trial, which began on March 17.

As the trial continues, the situation remains fluid, with both Paqueta and West Ham waiting for clarity on the outcome

He is reportedly eager for a resolution by the end of the week. However, there is no confirmed timeline for when the verdict will be delivered, though the trial was initially expected to last three weeks.

In an effort to focus on clearing his name, Paqueta opted to skip Brazil’s international duty.

Additionally, his former manager, David Moyes, has reportedly provided a witness statement in support of Paqueta, affirming key aspects of the player’s defence.

As the trial continues, the situation remains fluid, with both Lucas Paqueta and West Ham waiting for clarity on the outcome.