These are the four moments in which West Ham star Lucas Paquetá could be banned for 10 years.
The Brazilian has been charged by the Football Association with four counts of alleged spot-fixing after being deliberately booked in an attempt to influence betting markets.
The FA alleges that Paqueta was purposely given yellow cards in Premier League matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth so that he or his friends could benefit from betting.
Paquetá strenuously denies any wrongdoing, but if convicted, the resulting ban could ruin his career. A proposed £80million summer move to Manchester City has already collapsed.
In a precedent, former Reading defender Kynan Isaac received a career-ending 10-year ban from football after being deliberately booked playing for Stratford Town in non-league against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup three years ago. years.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been accused by the FA of breaking betting rules
FA alleges Paqueta deliberately collected reserves to influence betting markets
The FA’s charges against Paquetá relate to cards he received in four top-flight matches between November 2022 and August 2023.
INCIDENT ONE: November 12, 2022; Minute 60, West Ham – Leicester City 0-2
The first of the four occurred just before the mid-season break for the World Cup in Qatar in November 2022.
When Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare burst into the West Ham half, Paqueta chased him down and pounced on him from behind.
Initially play continued, but as Soumare remains on the pitch, referee Jarred Gillett blows his whistle and shows a yellow card, while Paqueta keeps his head bowed as he accepts the punishment.
Paqueta came under scrutiny for four warnings in particular, the first of which is above
INCIDENT TWO: March 12, 2023; Minute 70, West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa
The second came in another Premier League match at the London Stadium that same season.
Villa’s John McGinn crosses the halfway line and tries to get between Paqueta and Danny Ings. The Brazilian knocks him down in the center circle right in front of referee Chris Kavanagh.
Play is immediately stopped and the yellow card occurs with McGinn far from happy with the tackle.
A tackle on Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn was also one that set off alarms.
INCIDENT THREE: May 21, 2023; Minute 65, West Ham – Leeds United 3-1
The third moment is located right at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
After Leeds cleared a West Ham set-piece with the score locked at 1-1, Paqueta prevents Crysencio Summerville from escaping with a trip.
Referee Peter Bankes does not hesitate to show a yellow card.
Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville was removed by Paqueta, who was booked for this tackle
INCIDENT FOUR: August 12, 2023; Minute 93, Bournemouth – West Ham 1-1
The last incident occurred on the opening day of the season that had just ended.
From a goal kick, Paqueta jumps for an aerial challenge just inside the Bournemouth half and handles the ball.
The referee is again Bankes, who is not far away and issues the yellow card.
Paqueta was under investigation when he received the yellow card against Bournemouth
Paquetá has co-operated with the FA since they launched their investigation last August, handing over his phone and being interviewed on several occasions last autumn, but attacked the governing body after being charged on Thursday.
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,” Paquetá said in a statement on social media. ‘For nine months, I have cooperated at every step of their investigation and provided all the information I could.
‘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 commenting further.”
Paquetá retains the support of West Ham and will be able to play freely until the case is heard, which could take several months.
The 26-year-old will play for Brazil in the Copa America this summer, although coach Dorival Junior rested him for several international matches after the FA launched its investigation last year before returning to the team to face England at Wembley. in March.
The FA was alerted after being told by integrity officers that they had detected an unusual amount of betting activity on those reserves, much of which traced back to Paquetá Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
Paquetá has expressed surprise at the accusations and continues to deny wrongdoing
Children play soccer on Paqueta Island in Brazil, where unusual amounts of betting activity date back.
Rumors about the gambling investigation were rife on Paqueta Island when the news broke last year.
‘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.
“Lucas categorically denies the infringement and will continue to firmly defend his position,” West Ham said. “The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.”
Paqueta’s case will be heard by an independent commission and he could receive a suspension if he is found guilty. While Ivan Toney received an eight-month suspension for betting on football last year, it is understood Paqueta has not been accused of placing any bets.
Paqueta is contracted to West Ham until 2027 and under normal circumstances the club would look to cash in this summer or agree a long-term extension, but neither scenario is likely to materialize now.
City agreed to pay £80m for Paqueta last year and have identified him as a possible replacement for Bernardo Silva, wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Meeting Paquetá’s release clause would not be a problem for City, but they are unlikely to pursue their interests if he is accused of a betting offence.
Paqueta has until June 3 to formally respond to the charges, and a disciplinary hearing is expected to take place later this summer.
