Lucas Paqueta got yellow card in Aston Villa clash to give birthday ‘gift’ to brother, explosive court documents claim
LUCAS PAQUETA is alleged to have got deliberately booked as a "birthday gift" to his brother.
The West Ham star, who strongly denies any wrongdoing, has been charged with four counts of spot-fixing by the FA and a hearing is set for the end of the season.
Meanwhile, an investigation is underway by the Senate's Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) in Brazil.
A man accused of being involved in the scandal named Bruno Lopez de Moura gave evidence today.
He claims to have been told to place a bet by contact Marlon Bruno Nascimento Silva.
The bet was on Paqueta to get a yellow card in a match against Aston Villa on March 12, 2023 and for Real Betis man Luiz Henrqiue to do the same versus Villarreal that day.
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The Hammers midfielder received a caution for a rash challenge on John McGinn after 70 minutes and Henrique was booked after coming on as a sub.
A report obtained by Brazilian outlet UOL says the cautions would be a “birthday present” to Paqueta's brother Matheus, who was born on March 12.
Nascimento Silva is alleged to have received £13,500 from Paqueta’s uncle Bruno over five transactions.
The CPI report reads: "According to the international co-operation document for the sharing of evidence obtained by the CPI (DOC 232), Bruno Lopez described the participation of the two players in the possible manipulation of a sporting event on 12/03/2023.
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"His contact said that Paqueta had told him that he would give his brother, Matheus, ‘a birthday present’, namely a yellow card in the match on 12 March.
"Marlon didn't give any details about the co-opting of Luiz Henrique, but said that he would also receive a yellow card in the same round."
The news comes after allegations emerged that Paqueta's uncle Bruno paid Henrique two payments of over £5,000.
Paqueta is accused of being deliberately carded in four Premier League games — against Leicester in 2022, plus Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth, all in 2023.
The stakes ranged from just £7 to £400, leading to reported combined winnings of £100,000.
Paqueta insists he is innocent but if found guilty, he could be banned from football for life.
The FOUR games Paqueta has been charged for
LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by the FA over four specific games...
FIRST INCIDENT - West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
The Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester's Boubakary Soumare from behind.
After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
SECOND INCIDENT - West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
Four months later against Aston Villa Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
THIRD INCIDENT - West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds at the London Stadium Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
The foul prevented the visitors from breaking on the counter attack.
FOURTH INCIDENT - Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.