The uncle of West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá is seeking to avoid being forced to appear before the CPI of Sports Betting in Brazil, arguing it is unconstitutional for him to do so.
That’s according to Lance, who provide extra detail on Bruno Tolentino’s efforts to avoid appearing in front of the CPI later this month.
Metropoles reported yesterday that Tolentino was seeking to avoid appearing in front of the CPI in the Brazilian senate as an ongoing investigation into the West Ham star and his extended family continues.
He is accused of making payments to Botafogo forward Luiz Henrique via Pix in early 2023 after the player received yellow cards while playing for Real Betis in Spain.
Paquetá is being investigated in Brazil and by the English Football Association on suspicion of card manipulation in various games for West Ham. He is scheduled to appear in front of the CPI in Brazil on 29 October.
Tolentino is due to appear the following day but has moved to avoid that happening and Lance detail his defence today.
They say Tolentino’s defence have argued in the habeas corpus to the Supreme Court that, although he is willing to appear and testify as a witness, the CPI will be hearing him as an ‘investigated person’. Therefore, he should have the right to remain silent.
The lawyers also argued ‘coercive conduct’, believing that the manner in which investigated persons are summoned, including in CPIs, is ‘unconstitutional’.
They believe that Tolentino would therefore not be subject to sanctions and if he does appear before the commission, it should be converted from a mandatory appearance to an optional one.
