So, the Premier League just kicked off its new season this past weekend, and soccer fans were probably surprised to see Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta playing for West Ham on Saturday, despite facing serious spot-fixing charges.
Paqueta looked great on the field and even scored a penalty to tie the game against Aston Villa, though Villa eventually won 2-1.
In May, the Football Association (FA) charged Paqueta with trying to get a yellow card to influence betting markets. This is a big deal and could potentially end his career if proven true.
But here’s the twist, Paqueta will likely be able to play for West Ham for most, if not all, of this season. He denies the charges and can keep playing until the FA’s investigation is finished. The case is so complex it might not see an end to it until late 2025.
What Is Paqueta Accused Of?
The FA started investigating in August 2023 after noticing suspicious bets related to a yellow card Paqueta received in a match against Bournemouth on August 12, 2023. The probe later expanded to include yellow cards from three other games: Leicester City on November 12, 2022, Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, and Leeds United on May 21, 2023.
Spot-fixing means manipulating small parts of a game, like getting a yellow card, to affect betting odds, rather than fixing the whole match. Some of the bets were in Duque de Caxias, Brazil, where Paqueta was born. His real name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, but he uses “Paqueta” as a nod to his hometown.
Interestingly, some bets were with West Ham’s sponsor, Betway, which doesn’t operate in Brazil. Paqueta hasn’t been accused of placing bets himself, but people close to him might be involved.
Manchester City Deal Falls Through
Paqueta was set to join Manchester City in a huge $85 million deal last summer. But the move fell through once the FA’s investigation became public.
The FA has given Paqueta’s lawyers more time to respond to the charges. Which involves gathering important documents and witness statements. This is a process that could take many months.
Despite his strong performances, the ongoing investigation into spot-fixing has impacted his career. It has cost him his place in the Brazil squad as interim coach Fernando Diniz chose not to select him due to the uncertainty surrounding the case.
Who is Lucas Paqueta?
Lucas Paqueta, whose full name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, grew up on Paqueta Island in Rio de Janeiro’s Guanabara Bay. This is how he got his nickname. He started playing football at Flamengo, Brazil’s top club, and moved up to the first team in 2016.
Early on, there were doubts about Paqueta’s physical strength because he was a late bloomer. However, his technical skills and ability to shine in big moments stood out. He scored in the finals of both the 2017 Copa do Brasil and the Copa Sudamericana, quickly becoming a fan favorite.
In 2019, Paqueta moved to Europe to play for AC Milan in Italy. Here, he was to follow in the footsteps of the successful Brazilian Kaka. Despite showing some flashes of brilliance, he could not secure a regular spot and was sold to Lyon after just one year.
Lyon turned out to be a great move for him. Paqueta admitted he had put too much pressure on himself in Milan, but he felt freer to play his best in France. His entertaining style, including impressive tricks and through balls, won over fans and made him a standout in Ligue 1.
Brazil Debut in 2018
Paqueta made his debut for Brazil in 2018 while at Flamengo. But his impressive performances with Lyon earned him a regular spot on the national team. He played 26 times for Brazil in 2021 and 2022 and was a key player at the World Cup, especially linking up with Neymar, which led to some memorable moments, including Neymar’s stunning goal in the quarter-final against Croatia.
By the time he joined West Ham in August 2022, there were concerns about whether his unique skills would fit in the Premier League. However, he quickly proved himself, showing he could handle the demands of English football. In his first season with West Ham, he scored five goals and provided seven assists. Improving those numbers to eight goals and seven assists in the 2023-24 season.
Paqueta has promised to fight hard to clear his name.
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