According to reports, West Ham intends to sue the Football Association (FA) to prevent Lucas Paqueta from being banned from football.
A few months ago, Paqueta was accused of indulging in a betting scandal and breaching the FA betting rule.
Despite the whole betting allegation, the Brazilian denied ever getting involved in betting or breaching the rule.
![‘Lucas Paqueta is innocent’ - Friends of Brazilian player leaps to West Ham star defence](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/29052024/73627308-7d6e-4fff-bebd-22190f924ad6.jpg?operations=fit(180:))
16:00 - 29.05.2024
‘Lucas Paqueta is innocent’ - Friends of Brazilian player leaps to West Ham star defence
Friends who grew up with Lucas Paqueta have jumped to his rescue following reports that he might be banned for ten years if proven guilty of betting on Premier League matches.
![Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta risks lengthy ban for match fixing as FA probe ‘intentional’ yellow cards](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/26082023/eec012da-9e59-453e-add1-d5da7aab7e41.png?operations=fit(180:))
19:47 - 23.05.2024
Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta risks lengthy ban for match fixing as FA probe ‘intentional’ yellow cards
The Brazilian star could face a long ban from football, potentially missing out on a move to Manchester City
West Ham to sue FA
Last month it was reported that the FA pushing for a life ban for Paqueta, who was charged with four counts of betting breach.
In an attempt to stop the FA from hearing the issue, West Ham is supporting Paqueta and may take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, according to the Sun.
![West Ham's Lucas Paqueta | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/17042023/482d8e90-467b-4016-b209-60e6ec1ef5e5.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
The club is contesting the FA's jurisdiction because all of the suspicious betting associated with Paqueta happened in Brazil, where sports disciplinary actions have a heavier burden of proof.
West Ham also contends that it is irrational for a player to lose his career at a disciplinary tribunal where the FA's standard for a guilty decision is the balance of probability.
West Ham might also file a legal challenge at CAS against FIFA, arguing that if Paqueta was found guilty by the FA, they should be requested to enforce a global ban.
![Lucas Paqueta of Brazil | Imago](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/12112021/bae6b97f-9e34-4335-b6c4-4642fcd018d8.jpg?operations=fit(480:))
Since the hearing won't happen until the very beginning of next year owing to the complexity of the case and the challenges associated with acquiring evidence from Brazil, Paqueta will be available for West Ham for the majority of the season.
Paqueta, who most recently played for Brazil in the Copa America, will be returning to West Ham for their preseason tour of the United States next week, which will take place in Tampa.