Paqueta was reportedly charged by the FA on Thursday afternoon, May 23, alleging that he had been purposefully booked in an effort to manipulate the betting markets.
According to the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting regulations ;
Paqueta was purposefully booked in Premier League games against Leeds, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, and Leicester so that him and his pals could profit from bet when they stake that he will receive card in the match.
The Brazilian has the full backing of his club and refutes any misconduct.
The FA’s accusations could destroy his career and turn into a well-publicized instance of corruption.
Kynan Isaac, a former Reading defender, was handed a 10-year football ban for intentionally receiving a booking during a Stratford Town match against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup first round three years ago.
The suspension took effect immediately after an independent committee found that Isaac had conspired with pals over manipulating a stake on bet.
The players involved in the match-fixing incident of 1964 were handed life bans and jail terms.
This was the longest ban that had been imposed on an athlete since then.
After being charged on Thursday, Paqueta, who had cooperated with the FA during the inquiry since last August by turning in his phone and being quizzed multiple times in the autumn, took aim at the governing body.
In his words
I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,’ Paqueta said in a statement on social media. ‘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.’
Paqueta, 26, is scheduled to represent Brazil in the Copa America this summer. However, head coach Dorival Junior rested him for multiple international matches following the FA’s probe last year.
Paqueta was booked after 60 minutes in the first game against Leicester for a lunge on Boubakary Soumare
In the second game, against Villa, he was booked for a late tackle on John McGinn in the 70th minute.
In the third game, against Leeds, Paqueta received a booking in the 65th minute for dragging Crysencio Summerville back.
In the opening match of the current season against Bournemouth, Paqueta received his final card for handling the ball during additional time—the infraction that set off the FA’s investigation.
Lucas Paqueta, a midfielder for West Ham, has been accused with four charges of match-fixing in Premier League games and faces a significant ban from the game.
According to Daily Mail, the integrity officers who noticed unusually high levels of betting activity on certain bookings contacted the FA, with a large portion of the betting activity being tracked to Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
‘It is alleged that he 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 for one or more persons to profit from betting,’ the FA said in a statement.
‘Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position,’ West Ham stated. ‘The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.’
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An independent commission will hear Paqueta’s case, and if found guilty, he can face a ban. Although it’s believed that Ivan Toney was banned from football betting for eight months last year.
Paqueta has until June 3rd to formally address the accusations; later this summer, a disciplinary hearing is scheduled.
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