Lucas Paqueta breaks silence on 'entirely false and misleading' reports on FA betting charges

Lucas Paqueta, who is currently battling against charges brought by the FA for breaching betting rules, has hit out at recent rumours surrounding the trial and asked for an investigation to take place

Lucas Paqueta has hit out at recent reports surrounding the FA charges levelled against him for breaching betting rules.

The West Ham midfielder was charged back in May for four separate offences regarding the FA's rules on betting regulations.

"West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3," the FA said in a statement at the time.

"The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.

"It’s alleged that he directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.

"Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2. The player has until 03 June 2024 to provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline."

However, amid recent rumours surrounding information from the case, Paqueta has hit out at some of the "entirely false and misleading" reports, adding that he has instructed his lawyers to request an FA investigation into how information has "found its way into the public domain".

"I am frustrated and upset to have read recent misleading and inaccurate press articles, published in both England and Brazil, claiming to disclose information about my case," Paqueta said in a statement released on his social media accounts.

"Some of the information is entirely false and misleading, these articles are clearly sourced from an individual close to the case. The FA proceedings are supposed to be confidential, and they are extremely serious for me and my family.

"The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press is now putting at risk my chance of receiving a fair hearing. I have, therefore, instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request that they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain.

"I continue to deny the charges against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence."