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Lucas Paqueta to Be ‘Cleared’ of Gambling Charges as Another Brazilian Player Accused of Spot Fixing

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Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta (Credit: Agencia de Noticias ANDES / Wikipedia)

An exclusive ‘inside’ report claims that Lucas Paqueta will be cleared of the spot fixing charges that could lead to a lifetime ban from football. According to Football Insider, the West Ham forward will be exonerated from the accusation that he deliberately got booked in four separate Premier League games so that friends, family and associates could benefit financially from winning bets.

Meanwhile, another Brazilian star – Bruno Henrique – has been accused of the same spot fixing charge as Paqueta, with football in Brazil once again plunged into an integrity crisis.

Strong Noises


The former CEO of Everton, Keith Wyness, told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast that he had heard ‘strong noises’ that Paqueta will be cleared of all the charges he currently faces. The Football Association has been agitating for a lifetime ban for the 27-year-old, who is alleged to have been deliberately cautioned in four EPL games against Leicester City in November 2022, Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023) and Bournemouth in August 2023.

A Football Association statement reads:

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,

During the subsequent investigation, it’s understood that around 60 bets – including some placed via new customer accounts – were traced back to Brazil, including some by individuals on the tiny Paqueta Island, the tiny land mass that gave the player his surname and where he still has familial connections.

Paqueta’s Uncle

One of those embroiled in the investigation has been Paqueta’s own uncle, Bruno Tolentino, who the Senate Commission in Brazil want to charge with criminal offences. He is involved in a separate case involving Luiz Henrique, the former Real Betis player who has been accused of accepting payments for picking up bookings in two Spanish La Liga games.

Ironically, it was West Ham’s shirt sponsor – Betway – that reported the suspicious wagers to the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA). They had received a number of bets from new customers that hit the £200 maximum stake for the yellow card market, despite Paqueta only being booked five times before. His odds of being cautioned were slashed from 5/1 to 8/11.

The fourth of the bookings against Bournemouth saw Paqueta shown a yellow card for ‘persistent infringement’, which culminated in him deliberately handling the ball in the 93rd minute of the contest with the Cherries.

Despite the body of evidence against him, it has been suggested that Paqueta will be cleared of all the charges by Wyness. He claimed,

I’m hearing strong noises coming out from the case to suggest he will be cleared. [Former West Ham manager David] Moyes will testify on his behalf, and I’m starting to believe he will be cleared – based on everything I’m hearing. The evidence leaking out so far is certainly going in his favour.

Family Affair


Another Brazilian player has now been indicted on charges of spot fixing in an unrelated case. Bruno Henrique, a striker for Brazilian Serie A side Flamengo, is accused of conspiring to be deliberately booked in a game against Santos in November 2023. Investigators have spent 18 months probing the background of the incident, with allegations that some of Henrique’s family members had wagered on him to be cautioned in the contest.

Henrique was booked for dissent in the game in question, persistently arguing with the referee until he was shown the yellow card. The 34-year-old has been charged with ‘sports fraud’ and ‘criminal deception’, alongside his brother, sister-in-law, a cousin and six other individuals who are thought to be friends of Henrique’s.

It has been reported that Federal Police in Brazil intercepted more than 4,000 text messages sent between Henrique and his brother, Wander. According to investigators, one of the message trails reveals that Wander asked his brother to inform him in advance when he planned to be booked. Bruno is said to have agreed to in his reply.

The case has now been upgraded to federal prosecutors, who will decide whether to pursue criminal charges. If they do, Henrique could face a prison stretch of up to five years. Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis has defended the former Brazilian international, who will continue to play for his club until the case is closed. “I spoke to him. He is fine, absolutely fine. He showed up with all his teammates,” he said. “The only thing we ask for is the presumption of innocence. A person who has the right to defend himself against the accusations.”