Graham Potter has announced that there’s an investigation regarding whether Lucas Paquetá breached betting regulations.
The Football Association is looking into claims that Paquetá deliberately booked himself in four matches, a charge he firmly denies. If found guilty, he could face a lifetime ban.
Emotions ran high for the Brazilian midfielder, who was visibly upset after receiving a booking during a match against Tottenham two weeks ago. That same evening, Paquetá’s wife, Maria Fournier, took to Instagram to express the distress the situation was causing.
Most recently, he was left on the bench during a 2-0 win against Manchester United. At the time, Potter cited a cold as the reason for Paquetá’s absence. However, as preparations for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest began, Potter admitted, “It was both. He had a particularly challenging week personally, and I think that impacts everyone. As a result, he was feeling unwell both the day before and the day of the match.”
“I didn’t want to jeopardize his well-being,” Potter continued. “But he’s well-trained and eager to be part of the team. We’ll figure out how to use him this weekend.”
Potter also shared a bit of his own experience, mentioning a mild sore throat. “Sometimes stress or pressure can manifest in unexpected ways,” he said.
He expressed hope that Paquetá’s situation will be resolved before the start of the next season. “For everyone’s sake, yes,” he remarked. “I’d prefer not to focus on it too much, but a quicker resolution would be best.”
Regarding Paquetá’s handling of the situation, Potter praised him: “To be fair, he’s managed himself exceptionally well. It’s been a tough week for him, but he’s navigating through it. Generally, he showed great professionalism and seems ready to contribute to the team, and I believe engaging in work serves as a helpful distraction.”
