‘We are going to…’ – Lopetegui makes new Paqueta admission amid West Ham ban fears

The FA have previously announced that the Brazil international has been charged with four alleged breaches of the betting rules in Premier League games between November 2022 and August 2023.

Some reports have suggested there are fears within the London Stadium that the midfielder could be handed a lifetime ban from the sport [The Athletic, 13 June], but new Irons manager Lopetegui is eager to stand by the 26-year-old.

As quoted by Fabrizio Romano via X on Monday (1 July) he said: “We know he and his family are suffering a lot in this moment.

“I saw him smiling in the last match, that was good. We are his family, we are going to take care of him.”

Has West Ham star Lucas Paqueta been banned for gambling charges?

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that this entire situation around Paqueta has come as a huge blow to the Irons’ plans both in the summer transfer market and ahead of Lopetegui’s first season in charge at the London Stadium.

However, it is what it is and there is very little either party can do about it now. Paqueta insists that he is innocent and the Irons have to hope that is the truth so that they don’t lose one of their most important players.

Until any sort of ban is confirmed, Lopetegui has to do what he can to get the best out of the Brazilian on the field. He has shown whilst away on international duty that he still has magic in those feet and the same will be true in claret and blue.

Hopefully, any punishment handed to the 26-year-old won’t be as severe as those at the London Stadium initially feared. It would be a shame if the footballing world lost an exciting player over an off-the-field matter.