Lucas Paqueta blasts continued press leaks as betting investigation drags on

Lucas Paqueta has hit out at the leaking of "inaccurate information" in relation to the betting charges that have been levelled against him.

The West Ham United star was charged by the Football Association for allegedly getting booked deliberately. He has been under investigation since last summer when suspicious betting patterns came to light.

Recent reports claimed the Brazil international would be summoned to a hearing in his homeland later this month, while others stated the 27-year-old could be looking at a lifetime ban if found guilty.

Paqueta, who has maintained his innocence throughout the process and said he was "extremely surprised and upset" when the news first broke, has now appealed to the FA to investigate the leaks as they are damaging to his case.

Posting on social media, Paqueta wrote: "I am frustrated and upset to have read recent misleading and inaccurate press articles, published in both England and Brazil, claiming to disclose information about my case. Some of that information is entirely false and appears designed to undermine my position. I am also concerned that, although they are false and misleading, these articles are clearly sourced from an individual close to the case.

"The FA proceedings are supposed to be confidential, and they are extremely serious for me and my family. The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press is now putting at risk my chance of receiving fair hearing.

"I have, therefore, instructed my lawyers to write to The FA to request that they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain.

"I continue to deny the charges against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence."

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui recently revealed he hasn't spoken to Paqueta about the charges, telling reporters "I don't want to put this kind of responsibility on one player. He has to do the best he can about the offensive phase and defensive phase.

"When he is focused on the defensive work he is a much better player and we try to encourage him to always be focused in a defensive way as well as an offensive way.

"We don't talk about [the charges]. We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this."

Paqueta has started six Premier League games so far this season, scoring twice, and played for Brazil during the October international break.

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