West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has urged the Football Association to investigate "misleading" leaks about his ongoing betting case.
The 27-year-old Brazil international was charged by the FA in May with misconduct in relation to alleged betting breaches.
Paqueta was charged for allegedly getting booked deliberately in four Premier League fixtures "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market" in his native Brazil.
The playmaker has denied all four charges brought against him and was left "extremely surprised and upset" by the FA's decision five months ago.
Since then, Paqueta has remained eligible to play for West Ham, but there have been reports suggesting that he could be faced with a lifetime ban from football should he be found guilty.
Paqueta has taken to social media to vent his frustration at "misleading and inaccurate" leaks that he believes are putting his chances of a fair disciplinary hearing at risk.
© Imago
Paqueta requests for FA to 'thoroughly' investigate 'misleading' leaks
A statement released by Paqueta on X read: "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 a 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."
Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 and has since gone on to make a total of 93 appearances for the Hammers in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and providing 14 assists.
The Brazilian, who won the Europa Conference League during his debut campaign as a Hammer, is under contract at the London Stadium until June 2027 and is expected to be involved in Julen Lopetegui's matchday squad when West Ham face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
