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The real reason why West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta burst into tears during the Hammers’ 1-1 draw with Tottenham over the weekend has been revealed. The Brazilian was withdrawn in the second half after breaking down on the pitch, with captain Jarrod Bowen and referee Michael Oliver seen checking on him before manager Graham Potter replaced him with James Ward-Prowse in the 80th minute.
After the game, Potter stated the emotional reaction was based on frustration after receiving a yellow card amid the player’s betting trial over alleged offences involving deliberate bookings. Now, a new report has come to light breaking down just why Paqueta couldn’t hold back the tears at the London Stadium.
West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta
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FA Want to ‘Ban Lucas Paqueta for Life’ if Found Guilty of Charges
It’s claimed that the English FA want West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta to be banned for life if he’s found guilty of betting breaches.
The trial is set to continue despite it originally being slated for three weeks
Lucas Paqueta for West Ham vs Liverpool
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Paqueta has been struggling to deal with the burden of his spot-fixing trial, which came to the surface following his caution against Tottenham. The reason for his reaction to the booking was likely related to the fact that it was a reminder of what he is having to endure and of the possibility that his career could be taken from him in an instant, with the threat of a lifetime ban looming should the 27-year-old be found guilty.
While Paqueta has been commended for his professionalism both on the pitch and in training, the prolonged nature of the investigation is clearly taking its toll. Having originally been charged in May 2024, the hearing on the case began on March 17th 2025, and was set to last three weeks. Word from Paqueta’s camp is that once this period was over, the midfielder was expected to be cleared of any wrongdoing and free to continue playing.
Things have not panned out this way. Instead, the trial is set to last a while longer yet, with it being described as Paqueta’s ‘hell.’ It is also said that no one has any idea on what the potential outcome may be, with it claimed that there have been ‘good days and bad days,’ from the Brazilian’s side of things.
Referee Stuart Attwell talks to his assistant as West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta looks on
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West Ham’s Thoughts on Potential Verdict
The club are said to be worried by the situation
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham United
One West Ham insider has stated that ‘zero account taken of the mental stress on him [Paqueta] and his family,’ during this time, while there are also fears that the odds are being increasingly stacked against their star man. The worries are largely based on the standard of evidence being provided that is based on ‘balance of probabilities’ as opposed to anything ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’.
It was also noted that Paqueta has never been forced to play by West Ham during this period, and decisions regarding whether he feels mentally capable of doing so have all been left to the player.
The trial is set to continue this month, but on varying dates due to the availability of tribunal members and council for both sides.
Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has sent a request to fans after losing to Brighton in the FA Cup.
The Brazilian midfielder replaced his compatriot, Joelinton, in the 56th minute of the Magpies 2-1 loss to the Seagulls on Sunday (2 March).
Liverpool target Alexander Isak opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, after Man City transfer target Tino Livramento was brought down by Yankuba Minteh.
The former Newcastle winger levelled the scores on the stroke of halftime, after being expertly played through by Joao Pedro.
The second half was a chaotic affair, Anthony Gordon was sent off in the 82nd minute, and Tariq Lamptey was also given his marching orders in the 91st minute.
Newcastle were denied a late equaliser, after Fabian Schar thought he had scored a winner, before Danny Welbeck slotted past Martin Dubravka to send the Seagulls through to the FA Cup quarter-final.
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Bruno Guimaraes tells Newcastle fans ‘great things ahead’ after loss
Following the loss, Guimaraes posted an image of himself on Instagram, captioned: “Disappointed not to progress in the FA Cup, as it was clearly one of our goals. Moments like this are when we need to stick together the most. I know that when eliminations like this happen, it’s hard to accept, and we always look for someone to blame. If you need to find one, you can blame me.
We have two weeks before one of the most important games for the club in recent years, and we must be ready for this great opportunity. My only request is that, in this moment, we stay united as one and go after the best for the club because we still have great things ahead.”
The post was then liked by his Brazilian international teammate, Lucas Paqueta.
2024/25 Premier League stats Guimaraes
Appearances 27
Starts 27
Goals 2
Assists 6
Minutes 2,343
Guimaraes has been one of the Premier League’s best midfielders since joining from Lyon in France, and was initially left on the bench, as Eddie Howe keeps one eye on an impending meeting with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on 16 March.
To add to the misery of losing against Brighton, Gordon will no longer be available for selection against the Reds, making the Magpies the stark underdogs when the two teams meet.
West Ham nervously await outcome of Lucas Paqueta FA ruling
Football Insider Verdict
Lucas Paqueta’s hearing with the FA is expected to take place in March, with the West Ham star accused of picking up for bookings for the purpose of financial gain.
The Brazilian midfielder has strongly denied the accusations, but if found guilty, faces the prospect of a potential life ban from the sport.
Whilst Paqueta has not been at his brilliant best this season, like in part to the charges lingering over him, he remains a key player at the London Stadium.
The former AC Milan midfielder has the ability for Graham Potter to build his squad around him.
