FIFA could make proposed sanction worldwide amid allegations against West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta
FIFA could make proposed sanctions against West Ham star Lucas Paqueta worldwide if he is found guilty of match-fixing and betting allegations, according to AS.
The Spanish news outlet shared quotes from Jorge Kajuru via their website on 13 August where he claimed the Premier League could appeal to FIFA for their punishment to be extended worldwide, although at the moment they are waiting to see if there will be a punishment.
Jorge Kajuru, the Brazilian president of the Commission on Sports Betting in Congress, has issued a warning to players with match-fixing and betting allegations that his preferred punishment is for them to be banned from football for life.
As shared by the Spanish news outlet on 13 August, Kajuru said: “The sentences range from 360 days of suspension to being banned from playing football again, which is the punishment I prefer.
“The English and Spanish federations opened investigations against them [Paqueta and Betis winger Luiz Henrique]. Now we have to wait and see if there will be punishment or not. If positive, the confederations may request a territorial extension of the sanction and FIFA may extend it worldwide.
“I sincerely hope that Brazil, the country with the most soccer players in the world, does not also become known as an exporter of illegalities in the field of sports betting.”
Still allegations at this point
The comments from Kajuru are largely focused on several Brazilian footballers who have already been charged with match-fixing, with nineteen players named in the article who have been given punishments by FIFA and other governing bodies.
As things stand, the allegations against Paqueta are just that. The Premier League will carry out their investigation and decide on an outcome in due time, but as seen with similar allegations made towards Brentford forward Ivan Toney, the decision can take time.
It is clear, though, that the Brazilian government are looking to clamp down on representatives of the country who are found guilty of any of these allegations, which should raise some cause for concern if the West Ham star is found guilty.
It seems that match-fixing has become a serious problem among Brazilian footballers in recent times, and West Ham fans among plenty of others will be hoping that Paqueta does not become the latest part of this trend.
In other West Ham news, one journalist has hit out at an international footballer who turned down the Hammers.