LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by The FA for breaches of their betting rules and accused of deliberately getting booked.
Paqueta has been under investigation since last year after suspicious betting patterns were raised around his bookings – scuppering a move to Manchester City.
The Brazil international has now been charged by four breaches around bookings and two charges of failing to properly comply.
The FA said: “West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
“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.
“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.
“Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.
“The player has until 03 June 2024 to provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline.
“The FA will be making no further comment until the conclusion of this case.”
West Ham said: “The club acknowledges receipt of the FA charge received by Lucas Paqueta for alleged breaches of their Rules.
“Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position.
“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.”
More to follow.
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