Lucas Paqueta: West Ham midfielder charged by FA for alleged breaches of betting rules

Lucas Paqueta: West Ham midfielder charged by FA for alleged breaches of betting rules

The Football Association has charged West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta with potential betting rule violations.

The 26-year-old was interviewed by the FA in September and gave the governing body access to his phone the next month.

The FA probe was prompted by strange betting patterns involving a stoppage-time yellow card received by the Brazil international in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on the season’s first day last August.

An FA statement issued on Thursday read: “West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in respect to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.

“The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 for his actions during the club’s Premier League matches against Leicester City on November 12, 2022;

Aston Villa on March 12, 2023; Leeds United on May 21, 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.

“It is alleged that he directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of,

or occurrence in these matches by attempting to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of influencing the betting market in order for one or more people to profit from betting.

“Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two violations of FA Rule F3 relating to alleged failures to comply with FA Rule F2.

“The player has until June 3, 2024 to respond to these charges, subject to any requests for an extension of this period.

“The FA will be making no further comment until the conclusion of this case.”

Get more related news on https://sportviewers.com