Accusation against Lucas Paqueta: Brazilian midfielder demands football association investigate ‘misleading’ leaks

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta wants the Football Association to investigate “misleading” leaks about his betting case.

The FA brought charges against Paqueta in May for allegedly deliberately booking a yellow card “with the improper aim of influencing the betting market”.

Paqueta, 27, has denied all four allegations made against him and believes “misleading and inaccurate” reporting jeopardizes his chances of a fair disciplinary hearing.

“I am frustrated and dismayed to have read misleading and inaccurate press articles recently published in England and Brazil claiming to reveal information about my case,” Paqueta wrote on X, external.

“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 four charges relate to Premier League games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023.

Paqueta has remained eligible to play for West Ham since learning of the allegations, but could face a longer ban if a breach is proven.

“The FA proceedings are intended to be confidential and are extremely serious for me and my family,” Paqueta added.

“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 moved from French club Lyon to West Ham in August 2022 for an initial fee of £36.5 million.

The Brazilian midfielder has scored two goals in seven Premier League games this season.

BBC Sport has contacted the FA for comment.