Why Flamengo are pursuing West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta despite potential ban – Confidence may be misplaced

Flamengo believe that West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá will be allowed to play for them, even if he is banned for alleged betting offences.

That’s according to GE Globo, who explain that Flamengo believe Paquetá may still be available even if he is found guilty by the FA.

The newspaper reports that while the negotiation with West Ham to take Paquetá is considered a difficult one, particular with reports that the Hammers would only be interested in a permanent sale and not a loan deal, the Brazilian club haven’t given up and talks continue.

The big question on many fans lips, though, is why they would want to sign a player who could soon find himself banned from football sooner rather than later.

GE went looking for answers and have spoken to various experts on the matter, with Cristiano Caús, a partner at CCLA Advogados and specialist in Sports Law and Pedro Fida, from the Fida Associados office and specialist in sports and entertainment both telling them that the ban would likely be worldwide despite the English FA submitting it.

They also consulted a source at the Superior Court of Sports Justice, who also confirmed that any ban handed down to the West Ham would likely be international to prevent it being circumvented.

This happened last year when FIFA extended a ban placed on players by the STJD, ensuring they could not play anywhere.

Flamengo, though, think that there could be a period in which the West Ham man would still be available. They understand his ban could be extended worldwide but initially it would only be focused on England.

For it to become an international ban it will have to be backed by FIFA and there is a belief this could take some time, opening up a window for them to get Paquetá back to Brazil.

As an example, GE Globo explain that in the case of the aforementioned Brazilian players banned by the STJD at the beginning of June 2023, it took just over three months until FIFA internationalised the sentence in September.

Thus, it seems Flamengo believe there could be a similar delay in Paquetá’s case, and he would still be free to play in Brazil despite being banned in England.

That is why they are pushing ahead with their efforts to get the Brazilian from West Ham, even with the potential ban looking over proceedings and the Hammers showing little desire to do a deal at present.