- Premier League star accused by FA of alleged spot-fixing
- Brazilian Lucas Paquetá, 26, maintains his innocence
Football fans want answers after England’s Football Association sensationally charged a Premier League star with four counts of alleged spot-fixing, just seven days after three A-League players were charged. of the same alleged crimes by police in Sydney.
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá, 26, has been accused by the Football Association of deliberately racking up yellow cards against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in previous Premier League matches.
Police have not filed charges against him.
The FA confirmed that the charges relate to the warnings Paquetá received in four matches between November 2022 and August 2023.
It is understood that the FA was alerted after being tipped off by integrity officers who had detected an unusual amount of betting activity on those reserves, much of which traced back to Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. in Brazil.
The footballer’s full name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima, but he goes by Lucas Paqueta, as a nod to the region of Brazil where he grew up.
Football fans want answers after a Premier League star was sensationally charged with four counts of alleged spot-fixing (pictured, West Ham United’s Lucas Paquetá)
It also comes seven days after three A-League football stars on the books of Macarthur FC stars were charged with alleged betting offenses (Bulls captain Ulises Dávila pictured).
‘He is alleged to have directly sought to influence the progress, conduct or any other aspect or occurrence of these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee with the improper purpose of affecting the betting market so that one or more persons will benefit from betting,” the FA said in a statement.
Additionally, it is alleged that bettors known to Paqueta potentially profited from bets placed on him being booked in the four matches under microscope.
The Brazilian, who is reportedly the Hammers’ highest-paid player with a $75 million contract, remains steadfast in his innocence.
“I am very surprised and upset that the FA have decided to charge me. For nine months I have cooperated at every step of their investigation and provided all the information I could,” he said in a statement.
“I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with all my might to clear my name.”
Paqueta’s strong denial comes after it took the FA nine months to compile the evidence that gave them enough confidence to bring a charge.
Paquetá also has the support of West Ham, who stated: ‘Lucas categorically denies the infringement and will continue to firmly defend his position.
“The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.”
Police will allege Davila paid Kearyn Baccus $10,000 to receive yellow cards at various A-League clubs.
Clayton Lewis is a New Zealand international who now faces an uncertain future due to alleged spot-fixing
It also comes seven days after three A-League football stars on the books of Macarthur FC stars were charged with alleged betting offences.
Among them were Bulls captain Ulises Dávila, as well as his teammates Kearyn Baccus. and Clayton Lewis.
The trio were arrested and charged separately on May 17 and will face Sydney courts over the coming weeks.
Police also confirmed they will interview a fourth Macarthur player, who once located will also be charged.
It will be alleged that Davila paid his Macarthur teammates $10,000 each to deliberately receive yellow cards in at least two A-League matches.
Neither player has broken their silence on the alleged affair.