West Ham learn date of Lucas Paqueta’s ‘alleged spot-fixing’ hearing – with the Brazilian accused of deliberately getting booked four times

The hearing into Lucas Paqueta’s alleged breach of the FA’s betting rules will take place this month, according to reports. 

Mail Sport revealed in May last year that Paqueta was charged by the Football Association, with the Brazilian accused of being deliberately booked in an attempt to influence betting markets.

The FA are alleging that Paqueta was deliberately booked in top-flight matches against Leicester, Aston Villa , Leeds and Bournemouth so that either he and/or his friends could profit from bets placed on him being carded.

Paqueta has denied all the charges against him and has previously said that he ‘will fight with every breath to clear my name’.

According to Sky Sports, the hearing into Paqueta’s case will take place this month and will last for three weeks as they try to reach a verdict. 

It is set to be one of the longest court proceedings in FA history, with the governing body seeking a lifetime ban for the Brazilian midfielder.

The FA have investigated suspicious betting patterns surrounding four bookings for the player

Back in October, reports claimed that the FA were bringing two new charges for alleged non-cooperation and are accusing Paqueta of obstructing the investigation – however he dismissed that version of events shortly after.

‘I am frustrated and upset to have read misleading and inaccurate articles in both England and Brazil, claiming to disclose information about my case,’ said Paqueta. ‘Some of that information is entirely false and appears designed to undermine my position.

‘I am also concerned that, although they are false, 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 of inaccurate information is putting at risk my chance of receiving a fair hearing. I have therefore instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain.’

Paqueta’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, is also under investigation in Brazil, after paying £5000 to ex-Real Betis striker Luiz Henrique days after being booked twice. This triggered a probe in Spain. Both Tolentino and Henrique have denied any wrongdoing.

In both cases, the suspicious activity was reported by West Ham’s shirt sponsors Betway.

Paqueta has been overshadowed by the allegations since they were first made before the start of last season. 

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

He had emerged as one of West Ham’s key stars on their way to Conference League glory in 2023, and had been widely linked with a move to Manchester City with Pep Guardiola thought to be keen. 

However, once the story of Paqueta’s betting probe back in August 2023 emerged, broken exclusively by Mail Sport, his prospective £85million move collapsed.

The FA seized Paqueta’s phone for two months last year while investigators looked into his messages, calls, and banking history, during which time he bought a new mobile. 

They eventually gave it back, but recalled it down the line as the investigators wanted to check extra details, however the player had thrown it away and could not find it.