Lucas Paqueta's spot-fixing hearing FINALLY over as West Ham & Brazil star faces potentially career-ending verdict

Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association over allegedly breaching betting rules and picking up bookings intentionally for financial gain. If found guilty, the Brazilian will face a lifetime ban from football. According to the Daily Mail, the hearing that started on March 17 has finally concluded. The verdict, however, could take another four to eight weeks to come out, which leaves the player anxious over his future.

The report adds that insiders from West Ham have urged for a faster conclusion of the hearing. Last month, Hammers boss Graham Potter had claimed that Paqueta was unable to concentrate on football and was suffering from illness due to the delay in the betting probe.

Towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign, Paqueta was reduced to tears after he picked up a yellow card for a foul on Tottenham's Mickey Moore. After the game, the Brazilian's wife, Maria Eduarda Fournier, shared an emotional note on social media, claiming the family was going through a nightmare.

The Brazil international and his club now anxiously wait for the verdict to come out. Depending on the final outcome of the hearing, the Hammers will accordingly plan their transfer strategy for the summer window.