Lucas Paqueta’s betting scandal enquiry claims Brazilian ‘deliberately got himself booked as a BIRTHDAY PRESENT for his brother’
A Brazilian parliamentary enquiry into gambling in football has accused West Ham star Lucas Paqueta of deliberately receiving a yellow card as a birthday present for his brother.
Paqueta gave evidence to the Brazilian Senate Commission in his homeland this week.
However, despite being ‘suspected of game manipulation’ by Brazilian investigators according to a 629-page commission report, he will face no further action in the South American country.
The Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry on the Manipulation of Games and Sport in Brazil is a separate inquiry to the Football Association charge against Paqueta over four suspicious yellow cards.
The 27-year-old is accused of deliberately getting booked in four Premier League games, against Leicester in 2022, plus Leeds United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth the following year.
Paqueta has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, with the midfielder set to face an FA hearing regarding the charges next month.
New details surrounding the ongoing investigation into four yellow cards received by Lucas Paqueta have been uncovered as part of an enquiry by the Brazilian government
The West Ham midfielder was accused of deliberately being booked in a game against Aston Villa in 2023 as a birthday present for his brother
Paqueta, who has always denied the charges, faces a FA hearing next month that could see him banned for life if found guilty
If found guilty, Paqueta could face a lifetime ban from football.
According to the evidence submitted as part of the Brazilian enquiry, ‘Paqueta announced (to an intermediary named Marlon Bruno Nascimento Silva) that he would give ‘a birthday present’ to his brother, Matheus Paqueta, that is a yellow card in the match on March 12.’
On that day West Ham welcomed Aston Villa to the London Stadium, and secured a 1-1 draw when Said Benrahma equalised from the penalty spot after Ollie Watkins fired the Villans in front.
Paqueta started the match for the Hammers and was booked in the second half following a rash challenge on John McGinn.
The enquiry confirmed that the game took place on Matheus Paqueta’s birthday.
