Lucas Paqueta: West Ham midfielder helping with investigation into betting breaches

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta says he is “happy to be helping as much as I can” with an investigation for potential betting rules breaches.

Paqueta has continued to play for West Ham and is in the Brazil squad for a friendly with England on Saturday.

“It’s been seven months since it happened and I’m cooperating as much as I can,” the player said on Wednesday.

The investigation, which is also said to involve world governing body Fifa, is believed to centre around bets placed in Brazil on yellow cards awarded against Paqueta.

The former AC Milan player, who has said he did not place any bets, added: “West Ham have always supported me, there was no reason for them not to do what they did, which was nothing more than put their player out there to play soccer.

“I’m happy to be helping, I hope to help at the end of the season.”

Paqueta has been a regular in David Moyes’ side this season, with the Hammers seventh in the Premier League table while they face a Europa League quarter-final against Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

He joined the Hammers from Lyon for £36.5m in August 2022 and was instrumental in the club winning the Europa Conference League.

Paqueta was left out of former Brazil coach Fernando Diniz’s squad for last year’s World Cup qualifiers.

With the arrival of Dorival Jr as head coach, the player has been recalled and could face England at Wembley at the weekend.

“I’m happy for the call-up, for the recognition of my work,” added Paqueta. “Being in the national team has always been my dream, the dream of every child.”