- Paquetá, 27, has been accused by the FA of trying to influence betting markets
- The West Ham midfielder continues to deny all accusations of match-fixing
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Lucas Paquetá believes that the leak of “completely false information” could have a negative impact on his betting case, potentially ending his career.
The West Ham midfielder will have a hearing in March 2025 after being accused by the Football Association of alleged spot-fixing.
The Brazilian, 27, has been accused of deliberately being booked in matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth, in an attempt to influence betting markets.
Earlier this month, The Sun reported that the FA will bring two new charges against Paqueta for failure to cooperate and accuse him of obstructing the investigation.
But Paqueta has now responded to the reports with a statement criticizing alleged leakers of information “close to the case.”
Lucas Paqueta denounced that someone close to his gambling case is leaking false information
Paqueta turned to X to publish a statement where he once again denies the charges against him
The FA accused West Ham’s Paquetá of breaching betting rules in May this year.
His statement published in X read: ‘I am frustrated and upset to have recently read misleading and inaccurate press articles, published in both England and Brazil, which claim to reveal information about my case.
‘Some of that information is completely false and appears designed to undermine my position. I am also concerned that, although false and misleading, these articles clearly come from someone close to the case.
‘The FA procedures are supposed to be confidential and are extremely serious for me and my family.
‘The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press is jeopardizing my chances of receiving a fair hearing.
“I have therefore instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request that they carry out a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is entering the public domain.
“I continue to deny the charges against me and hope to prove my innocence.”
Mail Sport exclusively broke the story of Paqueta’s betting investigation in August 2023, which led to the collapse of his potential £85m move to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Around 60 people in Brazil are said to have bet between £7 and £400 on him being booked in relevant games, with total winnings of £100,000. He will reportedly face a hearing in March.
Paqueta is still waiting for the hearing of his case which will take place in March of next year.
Julen Lopetegui has insisted that the Brazilian midfielder is handling the situation well
The FA are believed to be pushing for a lifetime ban from football should he be found guilty of the charges against him, which may have affected his recent form.
Paquetá has struggled this season in a West Ham team that sits 12th in the Premier League with just eight points, despite major investments made in the summer.
However, Hammers manager Julen Lopetegui has insisted that, despite not discussing the matter with Paquetá, the player is handling his looming legal problems well.
“I’m happy with his behavior and his commitment,” Lopetegui said last month. ‘He’s working very hard, he’s trying to understand what we want. We are trying to help you become better and better. “He’s an important player.”
