West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been rocked after the Football Association (FA) has charged him for breaching betting rules in the Premier League. He has been accused of spot-fixing in multiple games over the course of the last two seasons.
West Ham United Midfielder Lucas Paqueta Charged For Breaching Betting Rules
Why Has Paqueta Been Charged By Spot-Fixing Allegations?
The Football Association have claimed that the Brazilian midfielder has been intentionally picking up yellow cards over the last two campaigns in four different Premier League matches. It’s claimed that this was done on his behalf to help those who placed bets on him getting booked.
In their official statement, the FA wrote: “The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
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“It’s alleged that he 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.”
The Football Association has also given the West Ham United star until June 3, 2024 to respond to the charges laid against him. That means the 25-year-old faces a potential legal battle to clear his name. But if he’s found guilty of these accusations, Paqueta faces a lengthy ban from English football due to spot-fixing. Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali was given a 10-month in October, 2024 after breaching betting laws.
How Has Paqueta Responded To These Charges?
The West Ham United midfielder is furious about the charges laid against him. In a statement on his social media, he wrote: “I am extremely surprised and upset that The FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment.”
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The Irons have also promised to stand by and support their player in this matter. This blow comes after Paqueta enjoyed an impressive 2023/24 Premier League season, being hailed as “top class” by Pep Guardiola, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 31 appearances. But the fact that he also picked up 10 yellow cards has brought this charge against him and now the Brazilian faces a major task to clear his name.
