Lucas Paqueta é detonado por um analista “Talvez nunca mais jogue.”
Lucas Paquetá. (Imagem: West Ham / Divulgação)

This was the opinion given by finance expert Stefan Borson, in an interview with Football Insider. He claims that it would be basically impossible for the Brazilian national team player to return to playing in the Premier League if they find him guilty at trial.

Paquetá was the subject of six accusations from the FA (Football Association) in May for alleged match-fixing surrounding yellow cards received in four Premier League games, but he continued to deny the allegations.

The FA has launched an investigation following betting activity in Brazil relating to the 27-year-old receiving a yellow card in West Ham’s game against Aston Villa last year.

Player had call log investigated

The government entity kept the attacking midfielder’s phone for eight weeks last year while investigators analyzed his call log, messages and bank records.

The Sun reported on October 8 that the FA subsequently asked Paquetá for more access to his phone. The entity wanted to check more details, but he was unable to find it.

Paquetá released a statement on October 17 sharing his frustration with the “continuous leak and publication of inaccurate information in the press.”

Therefore, the Brazilian has instructed his lawyers to complain to the English Football Association about the leaks and wants the government entity to conduct a full investigation into the matter.

Borson suggested that Paquetá is probably feeling nervous about the possible punishment he could face if found guilty. “I’m sure he’ll get a fair trial”,- Borson told Football Insider.

“He’s probably very nervous because clearly if he loses it will be very difficult for him to play again, certainly in the Premier League. I think that would be basically impossible.”

“However, he may not return to play if he committed the allegations, so it is understandable that he would be nervous. It’s about your entire career.”

Paquetá invited to give testimony at the Betting CPI

Here in Brazil, Lucas Paquetá will be heard by the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting next Wednesday, the 30th. The meeting will begin at 2:30 pm and will take place via videoconference.

The president of the CPI, senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), and the vice-president, senator Eduardo Girão (Novo-CE), invited the player.

The CPI for the Manipulation of Games and Sports Betting emerged amid allegations of irregularities involving betting on football matches. Thus, the senators seek to investigate possible collusion and guarantee the integrity of sporting competitions.

Therefore, experts see Paquetá’s testimony as an important step in this investigation.