West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to be available to face Leicester City on Tuesday as the club no longer expect him to give evidence to the Brazilian parliament for an inquiry into sports betting.

It was confirmed in August 2023 that Paqueta was being investigated by the Football Association over potential betting breaches, and in May 2024 he was charged with misconduct by the FA in relation to four alleged breaches. 

The 27-year-old was originally expected to miss the trip to the King Power Stadium as he was scheduled to give evidence in Sao Paolo to the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on the manipulation of games and sports betting. However, West Ham no longer expect him to be summoned.

Paqueta’s alleged breaches are in relation to yellow cards he received in Premier League matches against Leicester City on November 12, 2022, Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, Leeds United on May 21, 2023, and Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.

After being charged with the alleged breaches, Paqueta released a statement reading: “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.

“I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing further comment.”

In October 2024, Paqueta called for the FA to launch a “thorough investigation” into the disclosure of what he claims to be “false” information regarding his ongoing case.

Paqueta has appeared in all 15 of West Ham’s Premier League games this season, scoring two goals. 

West Ham, who fell to a 5-2 home defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, are 14th in the Premier League having only won four league games this campaign and return to action against Leicester City on Tuesday.

(Carl Recine/Getty Images)