It took Lucas Paqueta just four minutes to earn a yellow card in his first full start for new club Flamengo following his £36.5 million move from West Ham.
The flamboyant Brazil midfielder was making just his second appearance since rejoining his boyhood club.
Paqueta left West Ham having had to play under a cloud of suspicion created by a Premier League investigation into alleged spot-fixing charges.
The English football authorities eventually dropped the case after a two-year saga during which the player had continually denied any betting allegations.
Things haven’t been going so well for West Ham either.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo could be sacked without receiving any compensation if he fails to keep the club in the Premier League.
A Stumbling Start For Flamengo
Paqueta was making his second appearance for Flamengo since becoming the most expensive signing in the history of South American football.
He made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 Brazilian Super Cup defeat to Corinthians at the weekend.
Desperate to do well, he blazed a shot over the bar from close range in stoppage time that could have drawn the game level at 1-1.
His full debut at the Maracana did not go to plan either, with a booking inside four minutes.
Paqueta grabbed at the shirt of Internacional No 10 Alan Patrick before lunging into a tackle that earned the caution.
There is no suggestion that this was anything other than an over-enthusiastic desire to do well.
His first full game was cut short on 64 minutes when he was substituted with Flamengo losing 1-0 after a first-half stoppage time goal from Rafael Santos Borre.
A 69th-minute penalty from Uruguay International Giorgian De Arrescaeta saw the game finish 1-1.
Apology On Social Media
Paqueta took to his Instagram account @lucaspaqueta to send out an apology to Flamengo fans.
“Far from the beginning I imagined with this shirt.
“I wanted to thank everyone for their support and affection during my return to Maracana.
“It’s always unique to wear this shirt.
“I’d trade anything for a win.
“We need to improve and we will work hard to win again.
“We’re counting on you, nation.
“Grateful to God always.”
Enio Indicted Over Spot-Fixing Charges
Juventide winger Enio has been indicted on charges of spot-fixing after being accused of deliberately earning yellow cards.
Suspicious betting activity was reported around two booking he received in Brasil Serie A games last season.
The 24-year-old was booked for arguing with referee Paulo César Zanovelli in the season opener with Vitoria on March 29, 2025.
The International Betting Integrity Association reported suspicious betting activity from 111 users relating to his yellow card.
He was initially suspended by his club while they conducted an internal review, but he was given the all clear.
During the eighth game of the season with Fortaleza on May 10, he clattered into the back of defensive midfielder Lucas Sasha when there was no apparent danger.
That two-footed challenge received a caution and again several bookmakers reported unusually large betting activity around his booking.
Operation Totonero
The state office of Rio Grande do Sul launched Operation Totonero, named after the Italian match-fixing scandal of the 1980s.
Enio’s home and club locker were searched and a court order approved seizure of his mobile phone and other devices.
Although he was dropped for the next two games, Enio made 20 more appearances without being booked.
Following Juventude’s relegation he has joined newly promoted top-flight club Chapecoense on loan with an option to buy.
The player didn’t figure in Chapecoense’s opening game of the season, a 4-2 home win against Santos.
