West Ham midfielder, Lucas Paquet has been baptised as he continues to await the outcome of an FA investigation into alleged spot-fixing, a case that could potentially result in a lifetime ban from football. The Brazilian international has been under scrutiny since August 2023, when the Football Association began investigating whether he intentionally received yellow cards in four Premier League matches. Paquet was formally charged in May 2024, and though the trial has since concluded, a verdict is not expected for another four to eight weeks. The protracted case has had significant personal and professional consequences. Most notably, it derailed a proposed 80 million transfer to Manchester City. West Ham manager Graham Potter previously acknowledged the emotional and physical strain the investigation has placed on Paquet. Throughout the process, Paquet has maintained his innocence. His wife, Maria Fournier, described the ordeal as a nightmare that has spanned nearly two years. In a show of personal transformation and faith, Paquet was recently baptised in a private ceremony at home, accompanied by his wife and close friend, Flamengo forward Pedro Guilherme. Fournier shared images from the baptism, held in the couples swimming pool, writing: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold, everything has become new! My husband was born again! The case has been described as one of the most high-profile football integrity trials in England since Bruce Grobbelaars match-fixing trial nearly three decades ago. Paquets fate now rests with an independent regulatory commission tasked with assessing the evidence. The stakes are high. If the panel concludes that Paquet was involved in deliberate misconduct to manipulate betting markets, he could face a lifetime ban. Unlike criminal trials, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, this civil case operates on the balance of probabilities, a lower standard of proof. The pressure has visibly affected the 27-year-old. He was seen in tears during a match against Tottenham late last season after receiving a yellow card, a moment widely interpreted as a reflection of the toll the investigation has taken on him. As the football world awaits the FAs final ruling, Paquets future in the sport remains uncertain. The post West Ham footballer Lucas Paquet gets baptized as he awaits verdict in FA Spot-fixing Investigation appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
