BETTING SCANDAL: Paqueta accused of getting booked deliberately to influence betting market

The Football Association has charged Lucas Paqueta, a midfielder for West Ham, with intentionally receiving a booking “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.”

The four accusations are related to matches in 2023 against Aston Villa on March 12, Leeds United

on May 21, and Bournemouth on August 12, in addition to a Premier League match against Leicester

City on November 12, 2022.

Due to questionable betting habits, the 26-year-old international player for Brazil has been the

subject of an investigation since the summer.

The Football Association (FA) released a statement in which it stated: “Paqueta is accused of

deliberately attempting to get a card from the referee in order to improperly influence the betting

market in order to directly influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in

these matches.”

The charges “extremely surprised and upset” Paqueta, who signed a £36.5 million initial contract to

join West Ham from Lyon in August 2022.

I have helped with every stage of their investigation for the past nine months and have given them all

the information I am able to. I completely refute all of the accusations, and I’ll fight to clear my name with every breath,” he continued.

In addition, Paqueta is accused of “two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2,” which has to do with giving papers and information.

The accusations were made on the same day that the Hammers announced Julen Lopetegui will take over as head coach after David Moyes left.

According to a statement from West Ham,

“The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.”

Paqueta, who was selected for Brazil’s Copa America team the following month, has until June 3rd, subject to any request for an extension, to address the accusation of “misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3”.

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