Lucas Paquetá denies allegations after FA betting charge
Brazilian charged with misconduct for four breaches across two seasons and has until 3 June to provide a response
West Ham United star Lucas Paquetá has been charged by the Football Association (FA) over allegations he breached betting rules on four occasions.
The 26-year-old Brazilian faces a charge of misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3 during the 2022-23 season, his first in English football after his move to East London from Lyon, and the start of the 2023-24 season.
It is alleged the midfielder “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”.
The allegations relate to games 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.
According to media reports, the investigation was triggered after suspicious betting patterns were detected following Paquetá receiving an yellow card in injury time of the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.
The charge relates to FA Rule E5.1, which states: “A participant shall not, directly or indirectly, seek to influence for an improper purpose the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition.”
The former AC Milan player has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 which relates to “alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2”.
Rule F2 allows the FA to require individuals to answer questions and give information, provide documents or deliver information that an individual does not hold but is able to obtain.
Paquetá now has until 3 June to provide a response to the charges, but does hold the right to request an extension to this deadline.
However, Paquetá has already taken to social media to deny the allegations.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me.
“For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. 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 providing any further comment.”
The FA said it will make no further comment until the conclusion of the case. West Ham United have yet to make a comment on the matter.
Paquetá has been called up to the Brazil squad for this summer’s Copa America.