West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been accused by the Football Association of receiving a caution for deliberately trying to “unauthorizedly influence the betting market”.
The four charges relate to the Premier League match against Leicester City on November 12, 2022, as well as matches against Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, Leeds United on May 21 and Bournemouth on August 12.
The 26-year-old Brazil international has been under investigation since last summer over suspicious gambling patterns.
The FA said in a statement: “he, [Paqueta] The conduct, conduct, or conduct of these matches by one or more persons intentionally attempting to take cards from the referee for the improper purpose of influencing the betting market in order to profit from the bets. Attempting to directly influence other aspects or events. ”
Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon in August 2022 for a fee of £36.5million, said he was “extremely surprised and upset” by the allegations.
“For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I could. I completely deny all charges and intend to fight tooth and nail to clear my name. ” he added.
Paqueta is also charged with “two breaches of FA Regulation F3 relating to alleged non-compliance under FA Regulation F2” relating to the provision of information and documents.
The accusations came on the same day the Hammers confirmed they had appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach following the departure of David Moyes.
West Ham said in a statement: “The club will continue to support the player throughout the process.”
Paqueta, who is in Brazil's squad for next month's Copa America, has until June 3rd to face charges of “misconduct in connection with an alleged violation of FA Regulations E5 and F3”, subject to his request for an extension. It is necessary to answer.
Matches involving FA fees
West Ham 0-2 Leicester – 12 November 2022
Paqueta was booked in the 60th minute for “rushing” on Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
He was booked with the score at 1-0 and Leicester went on to win the match 2-0.
West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa – March 12, 2023
With the score at 1-1, Paqueta scored a shot in the 70th minute for what was described as a “lunging challenge” on John McGinn.
West Ham 3-1 Leeds United – 21 May 2023
Paqueta was booked for pulling Leeds winger Crisencio Somerville back in a counter-attack in the 65th minute.
The match would end up being 1-1 with West Ham winning 3-1.
West Ham 1-1 Bournemouth – 12 August 2023
In the season opener, Paqueta came on in the 94th minute for a handball, and the game ended 1-1.
The seriousness cannot be underestimated – Analysis
BBC Sport's chief football correspondent Simon Stone
Paqueta maintains his innocence and West Ham are defending him.
Given the scale of the accusations, we can only hope that he can provide a satisfactory explanation of what happened.
Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney was given an eight-month ban for gambling offences, some of which involved his team's losses but not in matches in which he played.
In 2020, England defender Kieran Trippier was suspended for 10 weeks after advising a friend to join Atletico Madrid.
This is not the case, it is effectively an in-game spot fix.
Paqueta said he was “shocked and upset” by the charges.
The seriousness of the situation cannot be underestimated, as potential penalties range from six months to a lifetime ban.
