‘Net closing in’ – Stunning new twists in Lucas Paqueta case that could affect his West Ham future

Lucas Paqueta’s future in football ‘is not looking good’ after a fresh twist in the investigation into his conduct. The Brazilian star is under investigation in both the UK and Brazil for ‘spot-fixing’, having been alleged to have picked up four bookings on purpose for the financial gain. Lucas Paqueta denies any wrongdoing and insists he will fight the claimsGetty These bookings were picked up in four Premier League games, against Leicester in 2022, plus Leeds United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth the following year – for which the FA claim ‘one or more persons’ benefited from financially. The midfielder, who first came under the FA’s spotlight in August 2023 for breaching betting rules, has denied any wrongdoing in an impassioned social media post. Paqueta gave evidence to the Brazilian Senate Commission, but despite 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 Brazilian inquiry is separate to the one in the UK, with the West Ham star set to face an FA hearing regarding the charges next month. If found guilty, the 27-year-old reportedly faces a lifetime from football. Paqueta strenuously denies any wrongdoing and said last year he would ‘fight with every breath’ to clear his name. But according to South American football expert Tim Vickery, a key piece of evidence has now claimed that one of his bookings – the one picked up against Aston Villa on March 12 2023 – was a ‘birthday present’ to his brother Matheus. Vickery told The Trans Euro Express on talkSPORT: “Next month, the FA are due to give their verdict on his involvement in this alleged deliberately picking up yellow cards for purposes of betting manipulation. “There is also a separate investigation in Brazil’s Congress. “The alleged ringleader of the organiser of this alleged betting scheme is Paquita’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, who was called to give evidence in front of this commission of inquiry and took the fifth. He wouldn’t answer any of the questions. The West Ham star has been a key player this termGetty “The report has come out. It was a dual scheme where allegedly Paqueta was picking up yellow cards for West Ham and Luis Henrique, the winger, was picking up yellow cards for Betis. “Luis Henrique kind of ran away from that, came back to Brazil with Botafogo last year, had a fantastic year, got into the Brazil side, but has subsequently gone to Zenit, which might seem like a strange choice… until I tell you that it’s now been proved that Luis Henrique received a considerable sum of money from Lucas Paquita’s uncle, something like five grand. “The commission of inquiry there in congress have recommended that Lucas Paqueta’s uncle face criminal charges. “So the investigation also allege that one of the yellow cards that Lucas Paqueta allegedly picked up was a birthday present to his brother. “So the net seems to be closing in. I watched him grow because he grew here in Flamengo. “And I watched him come up through the ranks with Flamengo. It’s very, very sad what I fear is going to happen to him, but it’s not looking good.” Paqueta has been a key player since joining West Ham in 2022. Paqueta has scored four goals and picked up six yellow cards this season In 110 appearances, the midfielder has scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists along the way. This term has managed five goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

Feb 17, 2025 - 23:04
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‘Net closing in’ – Stunning new twists in Lucas Paqueta case that could affect his West Ham future

Lucas Paqueta’s future in football ‘is not looking good’ after a fresh twist in the investigation into his conduct.

The Brazilian star is under investigation in both the UK and Brazil for ‘spot-fixing’, having been alleged to have picked up four bookings on purpose for the financial gain.

Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United surrounded by bubbles.
Lucas Paqueta denies any wrongdoing and insists he will fight the claims
Getty

These bookings were picked up in four Premier League games, against Leicester in 2022, plus Leeds United, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth the following year – for which the FA claim ‘one or more persons’ benefited from financially.

The midfielder, who first came under the FA’s spotlight in August 2023 for breaching betting rules, has denied any wrongdoing in an impassioned social media post.

Paqueta gave evidence to the Brazilian Senate Commission, but despite 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 Brazilian inquiry is separate to the one in the UK, with the West Ham star set to face an FA hearing regarding the charges next month.

If found guilty, the 27-year-old reportedly faces a lifetime from football.

Paqueta strenuously denies any wrongdoing and said last year he would ‘fight with every breath’ to clear his name.

But according to South American football expert Tim Vickery, a key piece of evidence has now claimed that one of his bookings – the one picked up against Aston Villa on March 12 2023 – was a ‘birthday present’ to his brother Matheus.

Vickery told The Trans Euro Express on talkSPORT: “Next month, the FA are due to give their verdict on his involvement in this alleged deliberately picking up yellow cards for purposes of betting manipulation.

“There is also a separate investigation in Brazil’s Congress.

“The alleged ringleader of the organiser of this alleged betting scheme is Paquita’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, who was called to give evidence in front of this commission of inquiry and took the fifth. He wouldn’t answer any of the questions.

Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United injured on the field.
The West Ham star has been a key player this term
Getty

“The report has come out. It was a dual scheme where allegedly Paqueta was picking up yellow cards for West Ham and Luis Henrique, the winger, was picking up yellow cards for Betis.

“Luis Henrique kind of ran away from that, came back to Brazil with Botafogo last year, had a fantastic year, got into the Brazil side, but has subsequently gone to Zenit, which might seem like a strange choice… until I tell you that it’s now been proved that Luis Henrique received a considerable sum of money from Lucas Paquita’s uncle, something like five grand.

“The commission of inquiry there in congress have recommended that Lucas Paqueta’s uncle face criminal charges.

“So the investigation also allege that one of the yellow cards that Lucas Paqueta allegedly picked up was a birthday present to his brother.

“So the net seems to be closing in. I watched him grow because he grew here in Flamengo.

“And I watched him come up through the ranks with Flamengo. It’s very, very sad what I fear is going to happen to him, but it’s not looking good.”

Paqueta has been a key player since joining West Ham in 2022.

Lucas Paquetá's 2024/25 Premier League stats: 4 goals, 0 assists, 719 passes completed, 11 dribbles completed, 6 yellow cards, 23 appearances.
Paqueta has scored four goals and picked up six yellow cards this season

In 110 appearances, the midfielder has scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists along the way.

This term has managed five goals in 26 appearances in all competitions.

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