West Ham and Brazil international midfielder Lucas Paqueta has vowed to fully cooperate with investigators amid an ongoing probe against him for alleged breaches of betting rules.
Paqueta was last week charged by the English Football Association with deliberately seeking a yellow card in four Premier League games in 2022 and 2023. He has until June 3 to respond to the accusations.
"It will be the first and only time I will speak," Paqueta told a news conference on Friday from Brazil's pre-Copa America training camp in Orlando.
"I was advised by my lawyers not to comment on the case. I continue to do my best and cooperate with the investigations, we will do our best to clarify everything. I'm prepared for this moment, to be here, that's the most important thing."
The comments came a day after the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed Paqueta would remain a part of Brazil's 26-man Copa America squad despite the allegations.
The entity explained that it consulted with the English FA before making its decision.
The Copa America will be played in the United States from June 20 to July 14. Five-time world champions Brazil will begin their campaign against Costa Rica in Los Angeles on June 24 and will also meet Paraguay and Colombia in the group stage.
Dorival Junior's men will warm up for the tournament with friendlies against Mexico on June 8 and the United States four days later.
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