- Paqueta Under FA Investigation: West Ham midfielder currently under investigation by the Football Association for possible breaches of betting rules
- Potential Move to Manchester City Impacted: Amid the investigation, speculation continues about Paqueta’s potential move to Manchester City, a transfer that could be impacted by the ongoing inquiry.
- Brazil Squad Omission and Denial: Paqueta was omitted from Brazil’s national team squad for upcoming qualifiers to address the issue, while he denies personally placing any bets and expresses surprise over the allegations.
Lucas Paqueta, the 25-year-old West Ham midfielder, is under investigation by the Football Association (FA) for potential breaches of betting rules, as confirmed by BBC sources. The probe, which also involves FIFA, centers around bets in Brazil related to yellow cards issued to Paqueta. Despite the allegations, Paqueta denies placing any bets and expressed surprise at the reports.
Paqueta left out of Brazil squad after the allegations
Paqueta, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City, was left out of Brazil’s squad for upcoming qualifiers to address the issue. Brazil’s interim coach, Fernando Diniz, stated that he holds a positive view of Paqueta and hopes he can resolve the matter. The investigation comes after Paqueta played a key role in West Ham’s Europa Conference League victory last season. In the Premier League he made 28 appearances, during which he scored four goals and assisted three.
Football’s governing bodies taking gambling breaches seriously
Notably, Brentford’s Ivan Toney received an eight-month suspension from football due to numerous breaches of the FA’s betting regulations. In response to the situation, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola maintained that Paqueta is a West Ham player and refrained from discussing any potential transfers.
Paqueta’s case adds to the list of instances where football players have faced scrutiny over betting-related issues, highlighting the sport’s emphasis on fair play and integrity. The FA and FIFA’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which such matters are treated within the football community.
