West Ham's Lucas Paquetá has directed his legal team to lodge a formal complaint with the Football Association regarding 'false and misleading' leaks pertaining to the ongoing investigation into his alleged violations of betting regulations.
The Brazilian midfielder, scheduled to attend a hearing this month, took to social media to express his 'frustration and upset' over what he perceives as attempts to 'undermine' his efforts to clear his name. Paquetá, who continues to assert his innocence, has voiced his displeasure with unspecified reports circulating in both Brazil and England, which he believes could jeopardize his professional career.
Paquetá was charged by the FA in May for allegedly being booked deliberately 'for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market'. In a social media statement, he wrote: 'I am frustrated and upset to have read recent misleading and inaccurate press articles, published 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. I am also concerned that, although they are false and misleading, 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 and publication of inaccurate information in the press is now putting at risk my chance of receiving a fair hearing, I have, therefore, instructed my lawyers to write to The FA to request that they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain. I continue to deny the charges against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence.'
The four charges against Paquetá relate to his bookings against Leicester in November 2022 and Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth in 2023. The revelation of the FA's investigation dashed the former Lyon player's hopes of joining Manchester City in August 2023. Paquetá has since been charged with 'two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2', which pertains to providing information and documents.
West Ham fears that a guilty verdict could effectively end the Brazilian's career. In 2022, Stratford Town defender Kynan Isaac was banned for 10 years for his involvement in spot-fixing during an FA Cup tie, where it was alleged he deliberately got booked as part of a betting scheme with friends.
The FA has declined to comment on Paquetá's statement.
