Lucas Paquetá has issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent media reports about a long-running Football Association (FA) investigation into alleged betting breaches.
The West Ham United and Brazil national team midfielder shared a statement on X, written in both English and Portuguese, stating that recent media reporting around the case was ‘false and inaccurate’.
These reports first emerged in The Sun, a widely circulated British tabloid newspaper. It has been alleged that Paquetá faces two additional FA charges for failing to cooperate with its investigation.
Paquetá not only denies these allegations but states that his lawyers will write to the FA requesting a ‘thorough investigation’ into how information about the case is being publically circulated.
Paqueta’s statement 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 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.“
Paqueta first came under investigation in August 2023 after allegations of his involvement in a spot betting ring emerged, allegedly based in his hometown of Guanabara Bay.
The FA was first alerted when bets on markets such as bookings and shots on target were being placed on Paqueta when playing in West Ham fixtures. The footballer has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and his hearing on the matter is scheduled for March 2025, but could continue into the summer.
English football has seen a number of high-profile betting cases in recent years. Ivan Toney, Sandro Tonali and Harry Toffolo have all faced enforcement action for breaching betting rules.
Toney – then at Brentford but now playing in Saudi Arabia – was hit with an eight month ban, Newcastle United’s Tonali with a two month ban and Nottingham Forest’s Toffolo a five month ban, for placing bets on football matches , something strictly banned under the FA’s rule E8.
It is important to note, however, that the charges of spot fixing against Paquetá are much more serious than charges against this trio of Premier League players and, as a result, could have more serious consequences.
