Alious
Lucas Paqueta faces a significant scheduling conflict as Brazilian parliamentary obligations related to an ongoing betting investigation will force him to miss West Ham’s crucial December Premier League fixture against Leicester City. The midfielder’s appearance before Brazil’s Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Sports Betting Manipulation, initially scheduled for this week but postponed, has now been mandated for December 3.
The situation stems from broader investigations into alleged betting irregularities. The Football Association has charged Paqueta with four counts of spot-fixing, specifically relating to deliberate yellow cards in matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth. These incidents allegedly enabled betting profits for either Paqueta or associates. The player maintains his innocence and has pledged to “fight with every breath” to clear his name.
The case has broader implications involving Paqueta’s family members. His uncle, Bruno Tolentino, recently appeared before the CPI but exercised his right to remain silent, drawing criticism from committee leadership. The investigation encompasses approximately 60 individuals, primarily family members, who allegedly placed bets ranging from £7 to £400 on Paqueta’s bookings, accumulating winnings around £100,000.
Paqueta recently expressed frustration over media coverage, condemning what he describes as “misleading and inaccurate articles” appearing in both English and Brazilian press. He’s particularly concerned about apparent information leaks from within the investigation, prompting his legal team to request an FA investigation into potential confidentiality breaches.
The allegations have significantly impacted Paqueta’s career trajectory, notably derailing a potential £85 million transfer to Manchester City. The FA’s investigation has been thorough, including a two-month examination of his phone records, banking history, and communications. Additional complications arose when Paqueta was unable to produce a requested phone for further investigation, leading to additional charges of non-cooperation.
If found guilty, Paqueta potentially faces severe consequences, with the FA reportedly considering a lifetime ban from football. Despite these challenges, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has praised Paqueta’s professional conduct, though notably avoiding direct discussion of the legal proceedings.
The situation was initially brought to light by West Ham’s shirt sponsors Betway, who reported suspicious betting patterns. The investigation has expanded to include international elements, with connections to Spanish football through transactions involving former Real Betis striker Luiz Henrique.
Alious
