West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been summoned to testify in a hearing concerning potential breaches of betting rules in Brazil. This follows charges filed against him earlier this year for violations related to the English Football Association’s (FA) betting regulations.
Senator Jorge Kajuru, Chairman of the Sports Betting CPI, announced that Paquetá would appear before the committee at the end of October. The senator expressed concern over Paquetá’s continued participation in the Brazilian national team amid ongoing investigations, questioning the appropriateness of his call-up while under scrutiny.
Paquetá faces allegations that he intentionally sought to be booked by the referee during four Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023. These actions are claimed to have been aimed at influencing the betting market for personal gain.
As Paquetá resides outside Brazil, his testimony is expected to take place via video conference. The investigation centers around serious allegations of match-fixing, and the outcomes may have significant implications for the player’s career and reputation.
