Lucas Paquetá has avoided having to testify before a Brazilian government investigation into match-fixing, leaving the West Ham striker free to face Leicester tomorrow.
Paquetá was expected to miss Tuesday’s trip to King Power Stadium as it coincided with a testifying date in Sao Paulo.
His lawyers originally negotiated for Paqueta to appear via video link, but Mail Sport understands he will now no longer appear.
The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the Manipulation of Games and Sports in Brazil is a separate investigation from the Football Association into charges against Paqueta for four suspicious yellow cards.
The FA alleges that Paqueta was deliberately booked in Premier League matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in 2022 and 2023 and that Paqueta will face a hearing in March which, if found guilty, could lead to a substantial suspension.
Paqueta is also under investigation for spot-fixing in Brazil, but has always protested his innocence.
Lucas Paqueta will not have to testify in a Brazilian government investigation into match fixing
He has started all 13 of West Ham’s league games this season, although he has struggled to perform at his best and Hammers fans are calling for him to be dropped.
The Brazilian gave away a penalty in the 5-2 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday before losing the ball narrowly in midfield in the build-up to the Gunners’ third goal.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui confirmed Paquetá was available to play and backed him to keep his off-field distractions out of his mind.
“He works apart from this situation and is focused on the games,” said Lopetegui. ‘It’s not always easy, but try. We try to help you.’
Lopetegui’s men go to the King Power Stadium where Ruud van Nistelrooy will coach his first game in charge of Leicester.
“Ruud is a very good coach, he has shown it in the teams he has worked for,” said the West Ham coach, who managed Real Madrid’s B team when Van Nistelrooy was at the club. ‘I’m sure he’s going to do a good job. I wish him the best… but after our match, of course!
‘I remember (in Madrid) that he was always a great example as a professional even though he had enormous talent as a player. He had a very high bar in the way he worked.’
It is also a crucial match for Lopetegui. During the international break, they faced speculation that they had two games to save their place and then beat Newcastle at St James’ Park only to be beaten at home by Arsenal.
The FA has investigated suspicious betting patterns surrounding four bookings Paquetá received in 2022 and 2023.
Now the Hammers face a kinder run starting at Leicester before facing Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton.
Lopetegui, however, urged his critics to judge him at the end of the season.
“Some people can look forward, others can look back,” Lopetegui added. ‘I just look at the next challenge, the next step, the next match. When you want to do your recaps, do it at the end of the season. Let’s see what happens in the future.”