Michail Antonio (left) joined West Ham in 2015, while Lucas Paqueta (right) joined in 2022
West Ham’s manager, Graham Potter, has stated that midfielder Lucas Paqueta is dedicated to the club following his exoneration from spot-fixing allegations. However, Michail Antonio will not be included in the squad this season.
Nearly two years after the Football Association initiated its investigation into the Brazilian international, Paqueta was cleared of intentionally receiving bookings to influence betting markets.
The 27-year-old had potentially faced a lifetime ban.
At the time the FA launched its investigation, Paqueta was strongly linked with a transfer to Manchester City.
With the transfer window remaining open until September 1, some West Ham supporters are concerned that the playmaker might be enticed away.
Potter, however, views the situation with optimism.
“You can never be entirely certain, as anything can happen during the window with any player,” Potter remarked at a press conference in Atlanta, previewing his team’s Premier League Summer Series match against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“But the news is extremely positive. Had the outcome been different, there would have been a completely different set of questions.
“Lucas is content and committed. He is a significant figure in the dressing room and within the club, and we value him highly. We simply want to help him enjoy his football.
“You can imagine that, on a personal level, having to contest those allegations was an immense challenge for him. It has been an exceptionally difficult period in his life and career.
“It is to his credit, and to that of his family and everyone who has supported him, that he has persevered.”
As the detailed reasons have yet to be released, it remains unclear whether Paqueta will pursue legal action against the FA.
Meanwhile, Antonio appears to be outside of Potter’s plans.
When asked if the 35-year-old would be part of his squad for the upcoming campaign, following the signing of another veteran forward – and Antonio’s former podcast co-host – Callum Wilson on a free transfer, Potter responded simply: “No.”
Last month, the club stated that no formal decision had been made regarding the player, whose contract expired at the end of the month.
“As a long-serving, highly-respected player, and a much-loved member of the West Ham family, the club’s absolute priority at this time is to support Michail personally in his journey to resume playing at the highest level,” the statement read.
There had been no update on the situation prior to Potter’s answer.
Having recovered from his serious car accident in December, Antonio returned to playing for Jamaica during this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup.
He joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, reportedly £7m, in 2015 and is the club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer, with 68 goals in 268 top-flight appearances.
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