Graham Potter has revealed the investigation into whether Lucas Paquetá breached betting rules is taking its toll both mentally and physically on the West Ham player.
The Football Association’s inquiry into allegations Paquetá deliberately got himself booked in four matches, which he denies but which could leads to his being banned for life if found guilty, has lasted more than two years.
The Brazil midfielder was in tears after being booked against Tottenham two weeks ago, after which Potter explained he was “frustrated” and had “given everything and in difficult circumstances”. But later that evening Paquetá’s wife, Maria Fournier, detailed the anguish the case is causing, writing on Instagram: “My husband has a posture and a strength that I admire and impresses me. We have been living this nightmare for two years.”
Paquetá was left on the bench for last weekend’s 2-0 win at Manchester United, with Potter at the time explaining that he had a cold. But as he prepared for Sunday’s visit of Nottingham Forest, Potter said: “It was both. The week he had was a particularly tough week for him personally, which I think everyone can understand. And then as a result of that he was feeling under the weather on the day before the game and the day of the game.
“So I didn’t want to risk him and make it worse for him. But he’s trained really well, he wants to be part of the team and we’ll see how to use him for the weekend.
“There’s a bit going round to be fair – I’ve had a bit of a sore throat as well. But you know what it’s like; sometimes stress, pressure, can manifest itself in a different way.”
Potter is desperate for the case to be resolved before the start of next season. “For everybody concerned, yes,” he said. “It’s not my thing to talk about, but the sooner the better for everyone.
“In fairness to Lucas I think he’s handled it brilliantly. I don’t know if I said it’s taken its toll on him. That week was a big week for him, but he has to go through what he has to go through.
“But generally he’s come in and conducted himself in a really good way. He’s just ready to help the team. I think coming into work is a distraction for him, it takes his mind off things. He’s handled it really well. For me I’m just there to support him, the same with his teammates.”
