According to manager Graham Potter, West Ham player Lucas Paqueta has suffered both psychologically and physically as a result of the investigation into a betting rule infraction.
The Football Association is investigating Paqueta for allegedly getting himself booked in four matches.
The 27-year-old Brazil international has been under investigation since August 2023 and was charged by the FA in May of last year.
Paqueta, who faces a life ban if proven guilty, rejects the accusations, which pertain to Premier League games in 2022 and 2023. He was in tears after he was booked against Tottenham two weeks ago, after which Potter said he was “frustrated” and had “given everything and in difficult circumstances”.
Later that evening, Paqueta’s wife, Maria Fournier, wrote on Instagram that they had “been living this nightmare for two years.”
Paqueta was benched for last weekend’s 2-0 win against Manchester United, which Potter explained was due to a cold.
“It has taken its toll on him. The week he had was a particularly tough week for him personally,” Potter said.
“As a result of that he was feeling under the weather on the day before the game and the day of the game, so I didn’t want to risk him and make it worse for him.
“Sometimes stress, pressure, can manifest itself in a different way.
“Generally he’s come in and conducted himself in a really good way. He’s handled it really well.” Potter expressed his desire for the matter to be figured out before the start of next season.
“It’s not my thing to talk about, but the sooner the better for everyone,” he said.
The case is still under investigation; if found guilty, Lucas Paqueta would be banned from playing again.
