The first part of the Lucas Paquetá hearing – the Brazilian Commission of Parliamentary Enquiry (CPI) – is due to start on October 30th – Wednesday – with the player attending by video link. His lawyers have attempted to postpone the whole hearing in a move which has been rejected by the chairman of the committee, Jorge Kajuru.
As reported in uol.com.br on Friday last, Paqueta’s lawyers had claimed there could be a negative impact to their client from his having to attend.
Paquetá is accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards for financial gain of himself or his associates whilst playing in Premier League games in 2023. His F A enquiry is due to start in March 2025.
His lawyers had argued that giving evidence to the Brazilian enquiry could compromise his ‘main event’ – his defence next year at the FA enquiry which could of course lead to a lifetime ban from the sport.
As the request from his lawyers stated: “We understand that his participation in a statement before the CPI could compromise the full exercise of his right to defence, generating the risk of inconsistent decisions and unnecessary media speculation”.
As it stands with the request for postponement rejected, Paqueta is still expected to give evidence by video on Wednesday.
Lucas Paquetá of course strenuously protests his innocence against all allegations.
