Credit: Imago / Sky Sports Main Event

Harri Burton

Tue 5 August 2025 11:31, UK

Lucas Paqueta was “fortunate” not to be punished for his actions during a friendly fixture between West Ham and Bournemouth.

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Graham Potter‘s side won two of their three Summer Series fixtures over in America, only being beaten 2-1 by Man United on Sunday, 27 July, with the Brazilian seemingly back to his best for the Hammers.

Paqueta, who is of interest to Man City again, Football Insider understands, was recently cleared of his FA betting charges, lifting a huge weight off the star’s shoulders ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The 27-year-old appears to have a sense of freedom back in his football, but with the playmaker often wearing his heart on his sleeve, the player might have been lucky to avoid punishment on Sunday, 3 August.

Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen were on the scoresheet in the Hammers’ penultimate friendly ahead of the Premier League kicking off, avoiding defeat against the Cherries in eight straight matches.

El Hadji Malick Diouf was incredibly impressive, grabbing the assist for Bowen’s second-half goal, but supporters feel that more additions are needed before the new campaign starts later this month.

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Football Insider understands that West Ham have made a formal approach for Douglas Luiz, attempting to beat Nottingham Forest and Man United to his signature, which would be seen as a coup signing.

However, one of the main talking points from the game was Paqueta’s challenge on Bournemouth‘s Alex Scott, appearing to drive his elbow into his opposition while battling for a high ball.

Only a free-kick was awarded, and the general feeling is that the Brazilian escaped further punishment.

Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham stats (Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comments from ex-FIFA official and former professional referee Keith Hackett.

“Classic.

I was once given the advice about looking at the dropping zone: You’re looking at the ball, but the ball never commits an offence. 

“Unfortunately, the referee is on the wrong side of the dropping ball, and I reckon the player knew exactly what was happening.

The referee has given a free-kick, so he has to decide whether it’s violent conduct or if the use of the arm is reckless.

(Credit: Sky Sports Main Event)

“I suspect the referee has not sanctioned because he’s not got the best view.

Had VAR been in operation, they could’ve taken another look. 

“The referee could have instigated that, rather than VAR, which is slightly against protocol.
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