The Brazilian Football Association (CBF) has confirmed that Lucas Paqueta will remain in Brazil’s Copa America 2024 squad despite being charged with an alleged betting breach by the FA.
It was announced last August that the FA had launched an investigation into suspected betting activities surrounding Lucas Paqueta, who said he had co-operated with an FA investigator in March.
The West Ham midfielder is accused of deliberately trying to get a card in four different Premier League matches, three in the 2022-23 season and one on the opening day of the 2023-24 match, with the charges against him laid last Thursday.
Lucas Paqueta, who has until June 3 to respond to the allegations, commented on the situation on social media, saying: “I deny the allegations in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
Now the CBF has confirmed that Lucas Paqueta will remain in the national squad for the upcoming tournament following discussions between the two football associations.
“Given the facts reported by the English Federation, the CBF, supported by the joint opinion of the Directorate of Legal Affairs and Governance and Compliance and the Integrity Department, has decided to keep the player called up,” the CBF said in a statement signed by president Ednaldo Rodrigues.
“Based on the information provided to the FA, it is categorically concluded that the player Lucas Paqueta, despite the conduct for which he has been accused of authorizing a precautionary exclusion [from the squad]… has not yet been punished by law enforcement. authorized to sanction him.
“It is correct to say that a player can until now carry out his professional work, the source of his livelihood and the livelihood of his family, fully and without limitation, whether for his club or the national team of his country.”
Brazil are nine-time Copa America winners and will open their campaign against Costa Rica in Group D on June 24.
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