Lucas Paqueta: The West Ham midfielder is under investigation for possible betting offences

Lucas Paqueta plays for West Ham
Paqueta has scored five goals in 42 appearances for West Ham since his arrival last year

Sources have confirmed to the BBC that Lucas Paqueta is being investigated by the Football Association for possible breaches of betting rules.

The West Ham midfielder, 25, has been linked with a move to Manchester City.

On Friday, Paqueta was left out of Brazil’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers to “solve his problems.”

Sky Sports reportedexternal link Paqueta said he did not gamble himself and was shocked by the reports.

The investigation, which is also said to involve FIFA, is believed to revolve around bets placed in Brazil on yellow cards awarded against Paqueta.

Fernando Diniz, Brazil’s interim coach, said on Friday that Paqueta was left out of his squad for the qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru next month.

“Paqueta was on the list and he’s a player I like a lot,” Diniz told reporters. “It’s time to solve these issues.”

“People need time to solve these problems. He’s a player I like, I have the best impressions of him.”

BBC Sport has contacted The Football Association and West Ham for comment.

Paqueta joined the Hammers from Lyon for £36.5m last summer and was instrumental in the club winning the European Conference League title.

He played 28 matches in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals and assisting three.

City manager Pep Guardiola told a news conference on Friday that Paqueta is a “West Ham player” and would not comment on a possible transfer.

In May, Brentford forward Evan Toney is suspended of football for eight months for 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.

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