FIFA president underscores football’s “uncompromising” betting stance amid Paquetá investigation
Gianni Infantino has talked up FIFA’s hardline approach to player betting during Euro 2024 and prior to the start of the Copa América
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed football’s governing body will be “uncompromising” when handling betting breaches across the sport.
Speaking to Brazilian daily newspaper Folha de São Paulo during an event in Brazil to honour football legend Pelé, Infantino affirmed that FIFA takes any accusations of footballers breaching betting regulations very seriously.
He was asked directly about the case of West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá – who was charged by the English FA over allegations he broke various betting rules – but Infantino refused to be drawn to touch on the specific instance.
Paquetá is alleged to have been initially booked in four games across two seasons while playing for the Hammers, while also withholding information as part of the FA’s investigation.
The star has been included in Brazil’s Copa América squad, with the Seleção’s first game due to take place on 25 June against Costa Rica.
Infantino said: “It is obviously necessary to monitor everything that happens around sports betting.
“Players know they can’t bet, of course. We control, we check. When something happens, of course it is investigated, and measures and decisions are taken.
“We take it very seriously and are uncompromising when it comes to betting and football. At all levels, in fact; not just at the top of professional football, at all levels.”
Infantino went on to say that all players found guilty of betting offences must face punishment, but each situation would need to be handled on a case-by-case basis.
He added: “If someone has committed an act that goes against sporting regulations, clearly there must be sanctions. Now, every situation is different. Each situation must be analysed and judged accordingly.”
In addition to Paquetá, England international Ivan Toney and Italy international Sandro Tonali – of Brentford and Newcastle United, respectively – are other Premier League players who have been sanctioned for betting breaches within the last year.
Toney served an eight-month ban after being found guilty of breaching FA betting rules 232 times, while Tonali is currently serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) for betting breaches which occurred during his time at AC Milan from 2020-2023.
Last month, Tonali was given a two-month suspended ban from the English FA after it emerged the Italian had placed up to 50 bets since moving to the Premier League last summer.