He English Football Association (FA) accused West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá of allegedly violating betting rules.
Paquetá, 26, is charged with four offenses for “influencing 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 for one or more people to benefit from betting.”
According to the FA, the infringements relate to four matches during his first two seasons with West Ham: November 12, 2022 against Leicester City; March 12, 2023 against Aston Villa; May 21, 2023 against Leeds United; and on August 12, 2023 against Bournemouth.
Paquetá posted a statement on Instagram Thursday morning in response to the charges.
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA have decided to charge me. For nine months, I have co-operated 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. I will not comment further.”
Paquetá has until June 3 to formally respond to the FA.
“The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process and will make no further comment until the matter is concluded,” West Ham said in a statement.
After ESPN reported in August 2023. Although Paquetá was being investigated by the FA for potentially breaching betting rules, he continued to play for West Ham during the 2023-24 Premier League season and represented Brazil during two friendly matches in March. Earlier this month, he was included in Brazil’s squad for next month’s Copa América.
Paquetá joined West Ham in August 2022 from French side Olympique Lyonnais. In two seasons he has made 77 appearances for the Hammers and scored 13 goals. His pass to Jared Bowen in the dying moments of the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final was the winning goal over Fiorentina.