The Football Association has charged Lucas Paqueta, a midfielder for West Ham, with intentionally receiving a booking “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.”
The four accusations are related to matches in 2023 against Aston Villa on March 12, Leeds United on May 21, and Bournemouth on August 12, in addition to a Premier League match against Leicester City on November 12, 2022.
Due to questionable betting habits, the 26-year-old international player for Brazil has been the subject of an investigation since the summer.
Due to questionable betting habits, the 26-year-old international player for Brazil has been the subject of an investigation since the summer.
An FA statement said:
“It’s alleged that he [Paqueta] directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”
Paqueta, who paid an initial £36.5 million to join West Ham from Lyon in August 2022, expressed his “extreme surprise and upset” at the claims.
“For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny all the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name,”
Paqueta has also been charged with “two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2”, which relates to providing information and documents.
The accusations were made on the same day that the Hammers announced Julen Lopetegui will take over as head coach after David Moyes left.
A West Ham statement said: “The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.”
Paqueta, who was selected for Brazil’s Copa America team the following month, has until June 3rd, subject to any request for an extension, to address the accusation of “misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
