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West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by England's Football Association (FA) with breaches of betting rules. The 26-year-old was interviewed by the FA last September and gave the governing body access to his phone the following month.
The FA have been investigating suspicious betting activity based on four bookings Paqueta received in 2022 and 2023 for almost nine months, and the Brazilian international is facing disciplinary charges. Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with breaching FA Rule F3, which relates to 'alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2'.
FA charges Lucas Paqueta for breaching betting rules
An FA statement released on Thursday read: "West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta has been charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3. The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club's Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on November 12 2022; Aston Villa on March 12 2023; Leeds United on May 21 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on August 12 2023.
"It's 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 in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.
"Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2. The player has until June 3 2024 to provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline. The FA will be making no further comment until the conclusion of this case."
I am extremely surprised and upset: Lucas Paqueta
The West Ham midfielder posted a statement on Instagram on Thursday afternoon following the charge. The post by Paqueta said, "I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me."
The Brazilian international was picked in the Seleção Canarinha side for the upcoming CONMEBOL Copa América in the USA and has been on the radar of Premier League champions Manchester City. Several reports reveal that the Cityzens are willing to pay a massive sum to acquire the 26-year-old in the summer transfer window.
