West Ham’s own sponsor Betway reported suspicious betting patterns that led to Lucas Paqueta’s £70m Man City move collapsing

Betway, the shirt sponsor of West Ham, is currently investigating the potential transfer of Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City, which unfortunately did not materialize. The Brazilian midfielder’s future hangs in the balance as he faces scrutiny from the Football Association (FA) due to suspicious betting patterns surrounding his recent matches. This has cast a shadow of uncertainty over his career and left fans wondering what lies ahead for the talented player.

According to reports from Mail Sport, the concerns arose after Betway, the official sponsor of West Ham, noticed a significant number of bets being placed on Paqueta receiving a booking during a Premier League match against Aston Villa in March. Betway’s sophisticated integrity alert system detected this unusual activity and immediately raised an alarm to ensure the integrity of the game was preserved.

During the match, Paqueta, who hails from Paqueta Island in Brazil, received a yellow card in a 1-1 draw. The sudden increase in betting activity surrounding his performance raised eyebrows and prompted Betway to take prompt action. The betting company swiftly notified the International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA), an organization dedicated to combatting match-fixing and corruption in sports betting. The IBIA, in turn, alerted FIFA, the world governing body for football, and subsequently, the FA.

This sequence of events triggered an investigation into Lucas Paqueta’s activities and potential breach of football’s strict betting regulations. The FA will closely examine the betting data and any additional evidence before making a decision on possible sanctions. If found guilty, Paqueta could face severe consequences, including fines, bans, or even suspension from the sport for an extended period.

The situation surrounding Paqueta is reminiscent of a recent case involving Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who received an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules. These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining the integrity of the game and the severe repercussions that can follow any attempts to manipulate outcomes or profit from illicit activities.

As the investigation unfolds, fans of both West Ham and Lucas Paqueta eagerly await the FA’s decision. For now, his immediate playing future remains uncertain, leaving the football world both intrigued and concerned about what lies ahead for this talented player.