West Ham’s international stars have headed off to represent their nations for the March internationals
But Lucas Paqueta is not among them after being left out by Brazil.
Last Wednesday, Hammers News exclusively reported the reason why.
Because the 27-year-old’s trial to face the music over the accusations – which Paqueta vehemently denies – was officially due to start today, Monday March 17th.
It had been announced Paqueta’s trial, which will be deliberated on by an independent three-person panel, would be heard this month.
After nine months of FA investigations, West Ham playmaker Paqueta was officially charged in May last year.
The FA want Paqueta banned for life if he is found guilty.
Paqueta declared he won’t rest until he has cleared his name in a response last week.
To help him do just that, Brazilian magnifico Paqueta has called in a legal big gun to fight his corner against the Football Association.
With the two-week international break meaning no West Ham matches for 16 days, there was every chance the Everton game could have been Paqueta’s last.
New Paqueta theory emerges after revealing West Ham moment
Because while three weeks have been set aside there had been no guarantee the trial will go on that long.
Any punishment handed down to the West Ham star is expected to be active with immediate effect.
That has been the case with other players facing charges for similar offences.
Although there remains some uncertainty on that score due to a lack of information from the FA.
Now a new Paqueta theory has emerged after a revealing moment as West Ham give a trial update.
As first revealed by Hammers News, Paqueta’s trial has indeed now begun.
Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas thinks he spotted something interesting about Paqueta at Goodison Park.
Thomas highlights that Paqueta spent a notable amount time on the pitch clapping when he was taken off in the 83rd minute with his side 1-0 up and the star himself on a yellow card.
The reporter says West Ham’s £51m record signing ‘lingered on his departure’ – something which antagonised Everton fans.
But Thomas thinks there may have been more to Paqueta’s slow exit than merely time-wasting.
Thomas rightly points out the game was, at the very least, Paqueta’s last action before an emotional couple of weeks that will decide the fate of his career.
Hammers News approached the FA for comment on the trial proceedings.
West Ham give Paqueta trial update after day one
Their response was clear as an FA spokesman said: “We won’t be saying anything about this case until it has concluded.”
The top spokesman for West Ham’s owners was a touch more forthcoming when speaking to Hammers News about the case after day one of the trial.
And it seems the pace of proceedings suggests the trial may well go the full three weeks.
On the one hand that would m
However, it could also mean Paqueta gets another run-out or two in the claret and blue, providing Graham Potter feels he is mentally fit to play games against Wolves and Bournemouth in what might be the decisive final week of the trial.
“It will last for the three weeks,” a top West Ham spokesman told Hammers News on Monday evening.
“Based on how day one panned out, the trial will be slow progress.”
Standard of proof is Hammers’ biggest concern
West Ham’s major concern ahead of the trial was around the standard of proof for the panel.
That’s because it is based on a “balance of probabilities” – which is the standard in all civil law cases – the umbrella the Paqueta trial falls under.
It is in stark contrast to the more rigorous “beyond a reasonable doubt” threshold in criminal proceedings.
It means the FA effectively only need to prove it is ‘more likely than not’ that Paqueta engaged in spot-fixing by deliberately being booked to influence betting markets during those West Ham matches.
Under FA rules, the civil standard of ‘balance of probabilities’ is used by their Regulatory Commissions in cases.
It is also concerning for the Hammers that the FA are pushing so hard for a lifetime ban after spending many months gathering and studying evidence.
The trial continues.
