After months of investigation, Lucas Paquetá has been charged by the FA with violating gambling rules, the English Football Association announced. The West Ham United player is said to have been guilty, among other things, of deliberately taking yellow cards. Paquetá denies all allegations.

“It is alleged that he (Paquetá, ed.) attempted to influence the progress, conduct or any other aspect of or appearance in these matches by deliberately attempting to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of influencing the betting market , in order to allow one or more people to benefit from betting,” the FA writes.

West Ham, who appointed Julen Lopetegui as their new manager earlier in the day, released a short statement. “The club will continue to support the player throughout the process.” Paquetá has until June 3 to officially respond to the charges.

The FA has cited four specific examples in which, according to the English Football Association, Paquetá was guilty of violating the gambling rules by deliberately taking the yellow card. The first suspicious moment according to the FA took place on November 12, 2022, when Paquetá was booked for a clumsy foul on Boubakary Soumaré of Leicester City.

On March 12, 2023, Paquetá was booked for a similar foul on Aston Villa's John McGinn. On 21 May, Paquetá was booked for holding the shirt of Leeds United striker Crysencio Summerville. In August last year, Paquetá received his last, according to the FA, suspicious yellow card, when he made a handball in injury time against AFC Bournemouth.

Paquetá response

“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,” Paquetá wrote in an initial response. “For nine months I cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all possible information.”

“I completely deny the allegations and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing trial, I will have no further comment.”

Paquetá had eight goals and seven assists in all competitions this season. The Brazilian has been playing for West Ham since the summer of 2022, which took him over from Olympique Lyon for approximately 43 million euros.

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