West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta wants FA to investigate ‘misleading’ leaks about betting investigations

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has called on the Football Association to investigate “misleading” leaks about its ongoing betting case.

The 27 year old Brazil was international charged by the FA in May with misconduct related to alleged betting violations.

Paqueta was accused of deliberately being booked for four Premier League games in his home country of Brazil “to influence the betting market”.

The playmaker has denied all four allegations made against him and was fired “extremely surprised and upset” by the FA decision five months ago.

Since then, Paqueta has remained eligible to play for West Ham, but there are reports suggesting he could face a lifetime ban from football if found guilty.

Paqueta has taken to social media to vent his frustration over “misleading and inaccurate” leaks that he says threaten his chances of a fair disciplinary hearing.

© Imago

Paqueta calls on FA to “thoroughly” investigate “misleading” leaks

A statement released by Paqueta on X Read: “I am frustrated and upset to have recently read misleading and inaccurate press articles published in both England and Brazil claiming to reveal information about my case.”

“Some of this information is completely false and appears to undermine my position.”

“I am also concerned that these articles, while false and misleading, clearly come from a person familiar with the case.”

“The FA process is intended to be confidential and is extremely serious for me and my family.

“The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press now jeopardizes my chance of a fair hearing.”

“I have therefore instructed my lawyers to write to the FA asking them to carry out a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, comes to the public.”

Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 and has since made a total of 93 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 14 assists.

The Brazilian, who won the Europa Conference League in his debut season as a Hammer, is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2027 and is expected to feature Julen Lopeteguiis the matchday squad when West Ham take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

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