As the English FA's case against West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has begun, former top striker and ex-PSV player Romário is calling on Brazilian prosecutors and authorities to investigate the alleged involvement of the Brazilian international's uncle in a betting scandal.
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The case against Lucas Paquetá officially began in England on Monday, with the English Football Association (FA) pushing for a lifetime ban against the West Ham United midfielder over allegations of violating betting regulations.
Paquetá had already been under suspicion since August 2023, but it was only in May last year that he was formally charged. The FA accuses him of deliberately receiving multiple yellow cards during Premier League matches as part of a scheme in which third parties, including family members and close associates, placed bets on these disciplinary actions and allegedly made financial gains.
The case, expected to last around three weeks, could have significant consequences not only for Paquetá’s career but also for football’s broader fight against match-fixing. If found guilty, the Brazilian international could face the harshest possible sanction, with the FA reportedly seeking a lifetime suspension from professional football. This would be a devastating blow for the player, who has been an integral part of both West Ham and the Brazilian national team.
As legal proceedings unfold, former Brazilian football star and senator Romário has added his voice to the controversy, calling for an expanded investigation into the potential involvement of Paquetá’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, in the alleged betting scheme. Romário, a legendary figure in Brazilian football, won the 1994 FIFA World Cup and had a successful career at clubs such as PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona before transitioning into politics. Now, as a rapporteur for Brazil’s parliamentary inquiry committee on match-fixing, he has taken a firm stance on the issue, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in football.
During a recent presentation of the committee's findings, Romário stressed the importance of addressing corruption in sports, stating that society cannot turn a blind eye to dishonest betting. His remarks highlight the growing concerns that match-fixing is becoming a larger and more organized problem, potentially involving a network of players, agents, and gamblers manipulating matches for financial gain.
The allegations against Bruno Tolentino extend beyond his nephew Paquetá. According to reports from the parliamentary inquiry committee, Tolentino is also suspected of profiting from a yellow card received by another Brazilian player, Luiz Henrique. At the time, Henrique was playing for Spanish club Real Betis before later moving to Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia. Evidence suggests that in February 2023, Tolentino allegedly paid Luiz Henrique 30,000 reais, approximately 5,000 euros, to deliberately receive a yellow card in a La Liga match against Villarreal. On the same day, Lucas Paquetá also received a yellow card in a Premier League match against Aston Villa, raising further suspicions about a coordinated betting operation.
The emerging details of the investigation point to a possible match-fixing network that exploited yellow card betting markets. These types of bets, commonly known as spot-fixing, involve players deliberately committing fouls or infractions at specific moments during games, allowing bettors to place winning wagers on seemingly minor events. While difficult to detect, authorities have been increasing their use of advanced data analysis and intelligence-gathering techniques to track suspicious betting patterns and investigate irregularities.
Despite the mounting allegations, both Lucas Paquetá and Luiz Henrique have strongly denied any involvement in match-fixing. Paquetá, who has played for Flamengo, AC Milan, and Olympique Lyon, has repeatedly insisted that he is innocent and has vowed to fight to clear his name. He previously stated that he would do everything in his power to defend himself against the accusations. Meanwhile, Luiz Henrique has also rejected claims that he was involved in any match manipulation.
Both players were summoned to testify before the Brazilian parliamentary inquiry committee, but neither appeared for their scheduled hearings. Their absence has raised further questions about their potential involvement and whether they are receiving legal counsel to avoid self-incrimination. The refusal to testify could be seen as an attempt to distance themselves from the scandal, but it also leaves investigators with more unanswered questions.
The case has broader implications for football as authorities across different leagues and governing bodies intensify their efforts to combat match-fixing. Betting-related scandals have become an increasing concern in recent years, with several high-profile cases leading to severe punishments for players, coaches, and officials. The football industry has been implementing stricter regulations and monitoring systems to detect unusual betting activity, but as this case suggests, underground networks continue to find ways to exploit the system.
For Paquetá, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining his future. If found guilty, he could face not only a football ban but also legal consequences in both England and Brazil. For West Ham, the situation creates uncertainty regarding one of their key players, as the club waits to see how the case unfolds before making any decisions about his future. Meanwhile, Romário’s call for an expanded investigation into Tolentino’s role could lead to further legal actions in Brazil, potentially uncovering more individuals involved in the scandal.
The case serves as another reminder of the ongoing battle against corruption in football, as governing bodies continue to fight against illicit betting activities that threaten the integrity of the sport. Whether Paquetá and Henrique will be cleared or found guilty remains to be seen, but the controversy is far from over, and the coming weeks will be decisive in shaping the outcome of this high-profile investigation.
Updated: 02:28, 19 Mar 2025
