‘Betting investigation has taken toll on Paqueta’

Manager Graham Potter claims West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has experienced both mentally and physically as a result of the investigation into a betting-unlawful behavior.

The Football Association is looking into Paqueta’s alleged self-infliction in four games.

The 27-year-old Brazil international has been charged by the FA in May of last year and has been under investigation since August 2023.

He broke down after being booked against Tottenham two weeks ago, when Potter claimed he was “frustrated” and “given everything and in difficult circumstances” and that he had been “frustrated” by the incident.

Maria Fournier, Paqueta’s wife, later claimed in an Instagram post that they had “been living this nightmare for two years.”

Potter claimed that the game’s 2-0 win over Manchester United at the weekend was caused by a cold, so Paqueta was substituted.

“He has been affected by it,” he said. Potter said that his personal experience during the week was particularly difficult.

Because of that, I didn’t want to risk him and make things worse for him the day before and the day of the game.

Stress and pressure can manifest themselves in various ways, sometimes.

“Generally speaking, he has entered and conducted himself really well. He handled it very well.

Potter expressed his desire for the matter to be settled before the start of the following season.