Moyes to testify for Paqueta in betting rule case

Lucas Paqueta, a Brazilian footballer, is facing serious charges from the FA for allegedly breaching betting rules. He may face a lifetime ban if found guilty. The trial began on Monday, and Paqueta has chosen to stay back instead of joining the Brazil national team for World Cup qualifiers. Paqueta's former manager at West Ham, David Moyes, will testify on his behalf. Moyes is now the manager of Everton and has agreed to provide support in a key part of Paqueta's defense. The Brazilian is accused of getting intentionally booked in several matches between November 2022 and August 2023. One match under scrutiny is a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in August 2023. At the time, Manchester City was interested in signing Paqueta, which affected his performance. Moyes had discussed Paqueta's situation before the game, assuring him he would still play him. However, Paqueta believed he would be substituted to secure his potential transfer to City. The FA's investigation began after unusual betting patterns were noticed. They charged Paqueta with multiple breaches related to his bookings in four matches and for obstructing their investigation. Paqueta insists he is innocent and has cooperated fully throughout the process. West Ham has offered steady support for Paqueta, but club insiders worry about the burden of proof in FA cases. They believe it could unfairly lead to a guilty verdict based merely on a small probability. Meanwhile, Paqueta’s potential career has already been affected as he was seen as a top target for several clubs before charges arose. He joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 for £51 million and remains under contract until 2027. If his hearing is still active during the next matches, he may continue to play.