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1 month ago
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Lucas Paqueta came close to his dream. During the 2023 summer transfer window, the Brazilian was chosen by Pep Guardiola, who wanted to strengthen his midfield, especially after the departure of Ilkay Gündogan to FC Barcelona. The former OL player quickly reached an agreement with the Skyblues, who still had to convince West Ham. But the Hammers were not completely closed to Paqueta’s departure, provided that the Mancunians’ offer lived up to their expectations. At the time, there was talk of more than €100 million. But this transfer, which was on track, fell through. Indeed, the English Federation (FA) clearly pointed the finger at the player, against whom it opened an investigation.
Paqueta is alleged to have participated in a major sports betting scam. He was reportedly given several suspicious yellow cards, including one he received during a match between West Ham and Aston Villa. Several factors had alerted the FA at the time, such as the unusual number of bets on the Betway site (WH’s shirt sponsor) and the fact that the player’s friends were betting the maximum amount on a yellow card for the Brazilian, who had also been booked. Other matches had also attracted the attention of the federation. But the Hammers player has always maintained his innocence and denied being aware of the bets of those around him. To prove his good faith, he had allowed the courts to search his phone. But his defense was not convincing.
New disturbing elements revealed
The FA thus indicated on May 23. “Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct during the club’s Premier League matches 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 is alleged that he directly sought to influence the play, conduct or any other aspect or event of those matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting betting so that one or more persons could profit from betting.”
A hard blow for the player, who risks several years of suspension. This Thursday, his case is once again the talk of the town. Times explains that several of Paqueta’s close associates are once again involved in a shady business involving sports betting. They sent money to another Brazilian footballer involved in rigging. Information also revealed by UOLwhich explains that Luiz Henrique, Botafogo striker, is involved in cheating when he played at Betis. At the beginning of 2023, the player, who received two yellow cards with the Andalusians, received almost 6,000 euros from Bruno Tolentino, and his son, Yan. They are Lucas Paqueta’s uncle and cousin.
His entourage is involved in another cheating case
The player’s uncle confirmed that he had made the payments, but said it was only to settle a debt. “It was money I owed him and I paid it. It was an agreement between us. It was money I owed him and he lent it to me. We agreed to pay it back and we did. When I had the money to pay it back, I paid it. I can play, it’s not forbidden. I just can’t have inside information.” The Sun explains that the FA has refused to comment on this new information. But the British media adds that it intends to investigate this other case, which would confirm the strange practices of the player’s entourage.
THE Times confirms that the FA intends to look into this matter as well. This is not good news at all for Lucas Paqueta, whose lawyer did not want to respond to these new revelations. Although he is not directly involved this time, UOL recalls that he knows Luiz Henrique. But above all, his entourage is once again suspected. All these new elements add to an already thick file concerning the former AC Milan player. The 27-year-old footballer is now waiting to find out what sauce he will be eaten in by the English Federation.
