pwshub.com

Paqueta breaks silence with statement on betting breaches probe

Lucas Paqueta believes the leaking of 'entirely false information' could have a negative impact on his betting case which could effectively end his career.

The West Ham midfielder is set fora hearing in March 2025 after being charged by the Football Association for alleged spot-fixing.

The Brazilian, 27, has been accused of being deliberately 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 the FA are bringing two new charges against Paqueta for non-cooperation breaches and are accusing him of obstructing the investigation.

But Paqueta has now responded to reports with a statement slamming the alleged leakers of information 'close to the case'.

Lucas Paqueta has alleged that someone close to his betting case is leaking false information

Paqueta took to X to post a statement where he once again denies the charges against him

The FA charged West Ham's Paqueta with breaking betting rules in May of this year

His statement posted to X read: '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.

'Some of that information is entirely false and appears designed to undermine my position. 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, and they are extremely serious for me and my family.

'The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press is now putting at risk my chance of receiving a fair hearing.

'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.

'I continue to deny the charges against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence.'

Mail Sport exclusively broke the story of Paqueta's betting probe back in August 2023, which led to the collapse of his prospective £85million move to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Around 60 people in Brazil are said to have wagered bets between £7 and £400 on him being booked in relevant games, with total winnings of £100,000. He is reportedly set to face a hearing in March.

Paqueta is still  awaiting his case hearing which is set to take place in March of next year 

Julen Lopetegui has insisted that the Brazilian midfielder is handling the situation well

The FA are thought 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.

Paqueta has struggled this season in a West Ham side that sit 12th in the Premier League on just eight points, despite heavy investment in the summer.

However, Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui has insisted that despite not discussing the issue with Paqueta, the player is handling his looming legal troubles well.

'I'm happy with his behaviour and his commitment,' Lopetegui said last month. 'He's working very hard, he's trying to understand what we want. We're trying to help him to be better and better. He's an important player.'

Source: dailymail.co.uk

Related stories
3 weeks ago - KATHRYN BATTE AT THE LONDON STADIUM: It was not the same level of toxicity others before him have faced and that is because it is still early days. But the stats do not make for good reading.
1 week ago - Arne Slot has now won nine of his first 10 games since succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
1 month ago - JACK GAUGHAN AT LONDON STADIUM: Turnovers in midfield and hurtling back 70 yards to stop counter attacks. Maybe Haaland is becoming the complete Guardiola player after all.
3 weeks ago - Relatives of Lucas Paqueta are reportedly being probed over bank payments made to another Brazilian player, as the West Ham star faces charges of spot-fixing.
1 week ago - The West Ham star is accused of being deliberately booked in an attempt to influence betting markets and is expected to face a hearing next March.
Other stories
6 minutes ago - The 19-year-old was forced off in the home defeat against Tottenham and while he missed the subsequent Europa League trip, he returned to the side to face Villa.
6 minutes ago - The German was named as Gareth Southgate 's permanent successor on Wednesday, signing an 18-month contract which will take him to the end of the 2026 World Cup.
6 minutes ago - Nunez's situation at Liverpool was examined on Mail Sport's It's All Kicking Off! podcast with co-hosts Ian Ladyman and Chris Sutton discussing what the forward needs to turn his season around.
21 minutes ago - The uncapped players who were part of the India A squad in Australia recently have been given an opportunity
21 minutes ago - PV Sindhu, who is currently working with Anup Sridhar and Lee Hyun-il, extended her head-to-head record against Han to 7-1