Zona de Azar Brazil – Brazil: CPI on Sports Betting Wants to Hear Lucas Paquetá

Brazil.- August 06, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com The Senate’s Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) into the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting wants to hear the testimony of West Ham and Brazilian national team player Lucas Paquetá in the second half of the year.

The invitation for Paquetá to appear as a witness before the CPI is not obligatory. The date has yet to be set. The president of the collegiate body, Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), and the vice-president, Senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), presented the requests for Paquetá’s participation.

The parliamentarians consider Paquetá’s presence at the CPI to be essential. The player is under investigation in England and can clarify important points for the committee.

According to Kajuru, “the facts had repercussions in Brazil, because dozens of punters living in the player’s area of origin (the island of Paquetá, in Rio de Janeiro) bet on the player’s yellow cards and were therefore entitled to the prize”.

On 22 May, the Football Association (FA) indicted Paquetá for forcing yellow cards in four Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023. Therefore, the FA’s investigations indicate that the aim was to benefit the betting market.

The FA stated that “he sought to directly influence the progress, conduct or any other aspect or occurrence in those matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market so that one or more persons could profit”.

Lucas Paquetá denies the accusations and said on social media that he has co-operated with the investigations and is innocent. “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. I have co-operated with all stages of the investigation and provided all the information I could during these 9 months.

I deny the charges in full and will fight with all my might to clear my name. Due to the ongoing proceedings, I will not provide any further comments,” the midfielder declared.

Senator Romário (PL-RJ) opened the CPI for the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting to investigate fraud in Brazilian football results. The commission aims to investigate the possible involvement of players, managers and others.

Finally, among the people already heard are John Textor, owner of Botafogo’s SAF, the president of São Paulo, Julio Casares, and the president of Palmeiras, Leila Pereira.

Edited by @pererarte   www.zonadeazar.com