Lucas Paquetá “frustrated and upset” with leaks of information about the betting case

West Ham midfielder expresses displeasure after information related to the investigation he is being subjected to is released

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá took to social media to express his displeasure at having seen several press articles relating to the investigation into betting fixing that he is the target of.

The player says he feels “frustrated and upset” after articles came out in England and Brazil which, he claims, include “some completely false information” which, according to the Brazilian athlete, are “aimed at undermining” the situation he finds himself in, also claiming that the leaks of information originated from an “individual close to the case”. Paquetá has already announced that he has instructed the team of lawyers defending him to ask the FA, the body that oversees English football and, more specifically, this investigation, to find out how this information is reaching the public.

Lucas Paquetá’s statement, in full:

“I am frustrated and upset to have read recent misleading and inaccurate press articles published in England and Brazil, purporting to be revealing information about my case. Some of this information is entirely false and appears designed to undermine my position. I am also concerned that, although false and misleading, these articles clearly originate from an individual close to the case. FA proceedings must be confidential and are extremely serious to me and my family. The leaking of information and the publication of inaccurate information in the press is now jeopardising my chance of receiving a fair hearing. I have therefore instructed my lawyers to write to the FA to request that they conduct a full investigation into how information about the case, however inaccurate, is coming into the public domain. I continue to deny the allegations against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence.”