Lucas Paquetá demands FA investigation over alleged betting offences

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá has again denied the allegations against him that he purposely picked up yellow cards in Premier League matches to win soccer bets back in Brazil.

He also has criticised the English Football Association (FA) for how they have handled their investigation into him.

Paquetá has asked the FA to open an investigation into its own investigating team after details of the probe were leaked to the public.

Betting offences investigation

The Premier League opened an investigation into Lucas Paquetá back in May over alleged sports betting offences.

Details from the ongoing investigation made their way to the media this month. Multiple outlets have reported that four charges for soccer betting offences have been brought against Paquetá.

They have also revealed that the charges specifically relate to Premier League matches against Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Leeds, and Leicester City between November 2022 and August 2023.

The FA allege that Paquetá participated in “spot-fixing” and purposefully sought out yellow cards in those matches to benefit soccer bettors in Brazil who had bet on the midfielder to be carded.

International betting sites noticed irregular betting patterns surrounding Paquetá yellow card bets and alerted the FA.

The majority of bets could be traced to Paquetá Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, where Lucas Paquetá is from.

Paquetá releases statement

Paquetá says he is frustrated by the media coverage and has demanded that the FA investigate how those details were leaked to the press.

“I am frustrated and upset to have read recent misleading and inaccurate press articles, published in both England and Brazil, claiming to disclose information about my case,” Paquetá said in a statement on social media.

“I am also concerned that, although they are false and misleading, these articles are clearly sourced from an individual close to the case. The FA proceedings are supposed to be confidential.

“I have, therefore, instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request that they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain.”

The FA has not yet responded to Paquetá’s request.

What this means for West Ham?

At time of writing, these leaks and Paquetá’s request don’t mean anything for West Ham. The Brazilian is fit and will be available for the Hammers’ match against Manchester United on Sunday.

However, in the future, these charges could have huge consequences for Paquetá. Reports claim that he could potentially face a life-time ban from soccer if he is found guilty of his betting offences.

West Ham signed Paquetá from Ligue 1 club Lyon in August 2022 for £36.5m. He has been strongly linked to Manchester City, and nearly moved to the club in the last transfer window.