Lucas Paqueta – (Image: AFP)
Brazillian and West Ham star, Lucas Paqueta is currently being investigated by the FA over his involvement in breaching betting rules
West Ham and Brazillian midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, is currently being investigated by the Football Association (FA) for allegedly breaching betting rules.
Lucas Paqueta is currently being investigated for his involvement relating to betting on in-game incidents which did not affect the outcome of the match. Sources from the UK news outlet, the Daily Mail stated that they found accounts tracing back to Paqueta Island, the place where Lucas Paqueta is from in Brazil.
Despite no comments from Paqueta’s team so far, the player has outright denied any such involvement.
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Paqueta was rumoured to be pursued by the treble-winners, Manchester City, following the injury to their star man, Kevin De Bruyne. But due to the investigations regarding potential breaches in gambling rules on Paqueta, the move has collapsed. The Brazillian midfielder was part of the West Ham squad when they won the UEFA Europa Conference League, last season. Both West Ham and the player could be disappointed with the collapse of the transfer as Manchester City were willing to pay a sum of around 85 million Euros for the services of the Brazillian.
West Ham already lost their former skipper, Declan Rice to Arsenal for a mammoth 105 million Euros. The money gained from Paqueta’s transfer could have been useful for the club to find appropriate replacements.
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Football has always been associated with gambling of various kinds with numerous betting companies even sponsoring certain Premier League clubs. But the FA have been known to take strict action against those who breach the betting rules. One such example can be Brentford’s striker, Ivan Toney. The Englishman was found guilty of 232 breaches and was banned from participating in football. He will only make his return on January 2024.
Paqueta will continue to play for West Ham until the verdict of the investigation comes out which will be a relief for the player, his camp and the club. West Ham will be facing Chelsea in the London derby tomorrow at 9 pm (IST). Moyes’ side will be looking for their first win of the season after they only managed to secure a draw against Andoni Iraloa’s Bournemouth.