Lucas Paqueta is set to miss a crucial Premier League fixture for West Ham in December, as he’s been summoned to appear before Brazil’s parliament amid an ongoing betting investigation, reports indicate.
The Brazilian midfielder has been under scrutiny for alleged spot-fixing in England and faces serious allegations that could impact his future on the pitch.
The Football Association (FA) charged Paqueta earlier this year with four counts related to spot-fixing, and he is also under investigation in Brazil.
The accusations claim that Paqueta deliberately sought yellow cards in matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth to influence betting markets for profit.
The FA alleges that either Paqueta himself or his associates placed bets on him receiving bookings in these games.
Paqueta has denied all accusations and has vowed to clear his name. In a public statement, he expressed his determination to fight the charges, stating he would “fight with every breath to clear my name” and emphasised his full cooperation with investigators.
Initially, Paqueta was scheduled to testify this week before the Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting in Sao Paulo.
However, his legal team managed to secure a postponement. Now, reports from The Sun indicate that he’s due to testify on December 3—the same day as West Ham’s Premier League clash with Leicester City—meaning he will likely miss this important fixture.
Paqueta has been vocal about what he perceives as “entirely false” information being circulated in connection with his case, calling on the FA to look into alleged “leaks.”
Earlier in October, he expressed his frustration about the misinformation circulating in both England and Brazil, stating:
“I am frustrated and upset to have read misleading and inaccurate articles 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.”
He continued: “I am also concerned that, although they are false, 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 of inaccurate information is putting at risk my chance of receiving a fair hearing.
“I have therefore instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain.”
The investigation has also implicated Paqueta’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, who is alleged to have paid £5,000 to Luiz Henrique, an ex-Real Betis striker, days after receiving two bookings.
This triggered a separate probe in Spain. Both Tolentino and Henrique deny any wrongdoing, though Tolentino’s recent appearance before the CPI stirred controversy when he declined to answer questions beyond confirming his name.
Suspicious betting patterns were first reported by Betway, West Ham’s shirt sponsor.
It is believed that around 60 individuals, some of whom are connected to Paqueta’s family, placed wagers on him receiving bookings, with bets ranging from £7 to £400. Reports suggest that these bets yielded total winnings of approximately £100,000.
Paqueta has been overshadowed by these allegations since they surfaced before last season.
Once hailed as a rising star and a critical player in West Ham’s journey to Conference League glory in 2023, Paqueta was linked with a high-profile move to Manchester City.
However, in August 2023, the story of his alleged betting involvement—first broken by Mail Sport—scuppered his potential £85 million transfer to City.
The FA is reportedly considering a severe penalty should Paqueta be found guilty, with the possibility of a lifetime ban from football.
During the investigation, the FA seized Paqueta’s phone for two months last year, examining his calls, messages, and financial records.
Paqueta reportedly purchased a new phone during this period. When investigators later requested the phone again for additional checks, Paqueta claimed he had discarded it and could not locate it.
This action led the FA to accuse him of obstructing the investigation, adding two counts of aggravated non-cooperation, as reported by The Sun.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has been supportive of Paqueta amid his legal challenges but clarified that the topic is off-limits in their conversations.
“I’m happy with his behaviour and his commitment,” Lopetegui said earlier in the season.
“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.”
Lopetegui added, “We don’t talk about [the charges]. We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this.”
As the case progresses, Paqueta’s absence could impact West Ham’s campaign significantly, with December’s fixture against Leicester looming large.
For now, his legal battle continues, overshadowing what was once a promising career trajectory and leaving his future in the sport uncertain.