Lucas Paqueta revealed the backing of ‘special’ West Ham boss David Moyes helped him cope with the betting scandal that led to the collapse of his £80million move to Man City.
The Brazil forward is still the subject of a seven-month FA investigation into suspicious betting patterns surrounding three yellow cards Paqueta received last year for West Ham.
Paqueta has not featured for Brazil since the probe began but under new manager Dorival Junior will make his return on Saturday against England at Wembley.
Moyes continued to play his talisman this season and Paqueta, speaking for the first time about the situation, thanked the Hammers boss for his support.
‘I don’t think they [West Ham] did anything different from what they should have done,’ said Paqueta, who is believed to deny any wrongdoing. ‘My relationship with David Moyes is very good. We talked about this. He said he wanted me playing in the team.
Lucas Paqueta has opened up on the betting scandal that cost him a move to Man City
Paqueta revealed the backing of David Moyes helped him cope with the betting scandal
‘I think it was important because I have grown this season and have got better and better. My evolution was important from last season to this one. Without a shadow of doubt, the support he gave me to leave all this behind, it was essential. He was special for me.’
Mail Sport revealed in August that Paqueta was subject of an FA investigation into suspicious bets placed with bookmakers in Brazil, allegedly traced back to Paqueta Island in Guanabara Bay where Paqueta grew up.
They are believed to focus on bookings he received against Bournemouth on the opening day of last season, against Aston Villa in March and Leeds in May.
‘I was told not to comment on this subject,’ Paqueta told a packed Brazil press conference on Tuesday ahead of his game against England. ‘It’s been seven months since it’s been happened and I’m co-operating, doing what’s in my power so that it can be resolved.’
Paqueta’s move to City broke down in the wake of Mail Sport’s revelations but Pep Guardiola is understood still to be happy to wait for the central midfielder who he sees as a long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva.
There’s frustration for both City and West Ham at how long the investigation continues to drag on, especially an £86m release clause is believed to kick in this summer. There’s added…