The case against Brazilian footballer Lucas Paqueta continues to unfold, as the Football Association (FA) prepares for a crucial hearing regarding his alleged involvement in spot-fixing.
The hearing, which is set to take place this month, is expected to be one of the longest in FA history, lasting up to three weeks as the governing body seeks a lifetime ban for Paqueta.
Accusations of Deliberately Getting Booked for Betting Gains
Reports from last year revealed that Paqueta had been charged with four counts of spot-fixing by the FA.
The accusations suggest that the West Ham midfielder intentionally got booked during top-flight matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth, in an effort to influence betting markets.
The FA alleges that Paqueta or those close to him placed bets on him being booked, aiming to profit from these bets.
Paqueta has vehemently denied all charges, stating that he will fight “with every breath to clear my name.”
His legal team is preparing for the upcoming hearing, which will address these serious allegations.
Hearing Set to Begin with a Lengthy Process Ahead
According to Sky Sports, the hearing into Paqueta’s case will commence this month and is expected to last for three weeks.
It is a high-stakes case, with the FA pushing for the harshest penalty possible – a lifetime ban for Paqueta.
This case will likely become one of the most prolonged and significant legal proceedings in the history of the FA.
New Charges and Obstruction Claims Raise Tensions
The case has taken a complicated turn, with reports from October suggesting that the FA has added two new charges against Paqueta for alleged non-cooperation.
These charges accuse Paqueta of obstructing the investigation into his actions, a claim he quickly dismissed.
Paqueta expressed his frustration about the misinformation circulating around the case, particularly in media outlets in both England and Brazil.
“I am frustrated and upset to have read misleading and inaccurate articles,” Paqueta said in response to the reports.
He also voiced concerns about leaks from sources close to the case, which he believes are jeopardizing his ability to receive a fair hearing.
Paqueta’s lawyers have now asked the FA to investigate how confidential information about the case was being leaked to the press.
Family Member Under Investigation and Links to a Former Footballer
Complicating matters further, Paqueta’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, is also under investigation in Brazil.
Tolentino allegedly paid £5,000 to ex-Real Betis striker Luiz Henrique shortly after Paqueta was booked twice during a match.
This raised suspicions and prompted an investigation into potential match-fixing activity in Spain.
Both Tolentino and Henrique have denied any wrongdoing, but the link between the two and the suspicious payments has caught the attention of authorities.
Interestingly, the suspicious activity surrounding Paqueta was initially flagged by Betway, West Ham’s shirt sponsors, who reported the unusual behavior.
How the Allegations Have Impacted Paqueta’s Career
Since the allegations surfaced, Paqueta’s career has been overshadowed by the ongoing investigation.
Before the story broke in August 2023, Paqueta had been a standout player for West Ham, playing a key role in their Conference League victory.
He was even linked with a potential £85million move to Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola reportedly keen on bringing him to the Premier League champions.
However, once the betting probe came to light, those plans quickly unraveled.
The transfer to Manchester City was called off, and Paqueta’s reputation has been clouded ever since.
FA Seizes Paqueta’s Phone in the Investigation
In an attempt to dig deeper into the case, the FA seized Paqueta’s phone last year for a period of two months.
Investigators scoured through his messages, calls, and banking history, seeking any evidence that might support the betting allegations.
During this time, Paqueta purchased a new phone, and when the FA returned the device, they had to recall it later to check additional details.
However, Paqueta was unable to locate the phone, claiming he had thrown it away.
This new development has further complicated the investigation and raised more questions about the player’s involvement in the case.
As the hearing draws closer, all eyes will be on the outcome of this high-profile case, with Paqueta’s future in football hanging in the balance.