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.
In August of last year, sources informed BBC Sport that Paqueta, aged 26, was under investigation by the Football Association.
Despite this, Paqueta has continued to represent West Ham and is currently included in the Brazil squad for an upcoming friendly against 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 consistent presence in David Moyes’ lineup this season, contributing to West Ham’s current seventh position in the Premier League standings as they prepare for a Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen, the leaders of the Bundesliga.
In August 2022, he joined West Ham from Lyon for a fee of £36.5m and played a pivotal role in the club’s triumph in the Europa Conference League.
Despite being omitted from former Brazil coach Fernando Diniz’s squad for last year’s World Cup qualifiers, Paqueta has been reinstated under the leadership of Dorival Jr as head coach and may feature in the upcoming match against England at Wembley Stadium over 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.”