West Ham's Lucas Paqueta free to play during FA hearing on alleged spot-fixing

This week, it was revealed that the hearing into claims that the Brazil midfielder intentionally accumulated four yellow cards for betting purposes will start later this month and could extend over three weeks.

Both the FA, which is said to be advocating for a lifetime ban for Paqueta if he is found guilty, and West Ham have not disclosed when the case will be heard.

When questioned about the potential timeline, FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham stated on Thursday that he could not comment on "an open case."

Paqueta will remain eligible to play for both West Ham and Brazil throughout the proceedings, as no provisional suspension will be imposed.

Paqueta is accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards in Premier League matches against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023, and Bournemouth in August 2023.

The 27-year-old, who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained in training last month, denies the allegations and has promised to "fight with every breath" to clear his name.

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