West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26, has been charged by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules. Paqueta was interviewed by the FA last September, providing access to his phone the following month.
The investigation began after suspicious betting patterns emerged surrounding a stoppage-time yellow card he received in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on the opening day of the season last August.
An FA statement released on Thursday detailed the charges: “West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct about alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.”
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Paqueta faces four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 for incidents during Premier League matches against Leicester City (November 12, 2022), Aston Villa (March 12, 2023), Leeds United (May 21, 2023), and AFC Bournemouth (August 12, 2023). It is alleged that he intentionally sought to receive a card from the referee to influence the betting market for personal profit.
Additionally, Paqueta has been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 for failing to comply with FA Rule F2.
The player has until June 3, 2024, to respond to these charges, subject to any extension request. The FA will make no further comment until the case concludes.
More details to follow.
