Fresh controversy surrounds West Ham star Lucas Paqueta as stunning new evidence emerges in the case against him.
The latest allegations could have major implications for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta and his future at West Ham.
A figurative cloud has been hanging over Paqueta’s head for over 18 months since he was hit with allegations of spot-fixing during West Ham matches.
Paqueta stands accused of being deliberately booked in Premier League games against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth between 12 November 2022 and 12 August 2023 for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.
The FA’s case against him was set to be heard by an independent three-person panel next month.
But West Ham received a boost recently when it was revealed the hearing is now not scheduled until the summer.
Paqueta has returned to something like his best form under Graham Potter.
He missed the defeat at Chelsea last time out due to injury but is back in West Ham training for this weekend’s clash with Brentford.
If the panel finds against him, the 27-year-old playmaker could be banned from football for life.
Stunning new evidence emerges in Paqueta case
From West Ham’s perspective Paqueta is a multi-million pound asset and the club’s record £51m signing.
So the Hammers will clearly be desperate to see him absolved of any blame.
Paqueta released a statement on ‘inaccurate’ case information being leaked to the press earlier this season. In it, the Brazilian magnifico alleged it meant he faced an unfair hearing.
Since then Metropoles have reported that Paqueta and his uncle, Bruno Tolentino, were both summoned to appear before the Sports Betting CPI – The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry – in Brazil.
In November, The Athletic claimed the West Ham hierarchy are very concerned about the possibility of Paqueta receiving a life-time ban if he’s found guilty of the charges.
It has gone quiet on the Paqueta spot-fixing scandal of late.
Now stunning new evidence has emerged in the case against West Ham star Paqueta.
UOL in Brazil is reporting that Bruno Lopez de Moura – the alleged mastermind in the saga – has given evidence as part of his testimony at the CPI das Apostas.
‘Paqueta booking was birthday present to brother’ Brazilian Commission hears
And he claims the yellow card received by Paqueta in the game between West Ham and Villa, on March 12 2023, would be a “birthday present” for the athlete’s brother – who was born on March 12.
He told the CPI that he made a combined bet on a match between Paqueta and Luiz Henrique, when the former Botafogo player was still at Real Betis, in Spain.
According to the report, obtained by UOL, Moura said he made the decision to gamble because he received ‘privileged information’ from a contact named Marlon Bruno Nascimento Silva.
According to the whistleblower, Marlon said that Paqueta would “give a birthday present” to his brother, Matheus Tolentino.
The report states that Matheus’ birthday is on March 12, the date of the match against Aston Villa.
Paqueta received a yellow card in the second half of that match for a foul on John McGinn.
The CPI report also shows that Marlon received a total of R$97,000 (£13,500) from Bruno Tolentino, Paqueta’s uncle, in five transactions. In the document, Marlon is cited as being responsible for recruiting players, being one of the operators of the scheme.
UOL states it contacted Paqueta’s camp for a comment on the testimony.
But in response it was stated the case is in the hands of the player’s lawyer, who will not comment at this time.
What are the full FA charges against Paqueta?
An FA spokesman confirmed Hammers ace Paqueta was charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
“West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3,” the statement reads.
“The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
“It’s alleged that he directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.
“Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.”
