Lucas Paquetá Calls for FA Investigation into Betting Case Leaks

Lucas Paquetá the West Ham midfielder has called on the Football Association (FA) to investigate “misleading” leaks related to his ongoing betting case. The FA charged the 27-year-old in May, accusing him of deliberately getting booked in matches to manipulate the betting market. Paquetá has denied all four charges against him and asserted that the “misleading and inaccurate” media coverage jeopardizes his chances for a fair disciplinary hearing.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Paquetá expressed his frustration with recent articles in both England and Brazil that claim to reveal information about his case. He labeled the reports as “entirely false,” suggesting that they aim to undermine his position. Paquetá also noted that someone close to the case appears to have leaked the information, raising concerns about the integrity of the proceedings.

The charges relate to Premier League fixtures against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023. Since the allegations surfaced, Lucas Paquetá has remained eligible to play for West Ham but he faces a lengthy ban if the FA proves a breach of regulations. He emphasized the serious nature of the FA proceedings, highlighting their confidential nature and the impact they have on him and his family.

“The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press now put my chance of receiving a fair hearing at risk,” he stated. As a result, he has instructed his lawyers to formally request that the FA conduct a thorough investigation into how such information is leaking. Paquetá joined West Ham from French club Lyon in August 2022 for an initial fee of £36.5 million and has scored two goals in seven Premier League appearances this season.