These are the four moments when West Ham star Lucas Paqueta could be banned for ten years.
The Brazilian has been charged by the Football Association with four counts of alleged spot fixing by deliberately receiving a yellow card in an attempt to influence the betting markets.
The FA claims Paqueta deliberately picked up yellow cards in Premier League matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth so he or his friends could profit from betting.
Paqueta strongly denies doing anything wrong, but if found guilty the resulting ban could destroy his career. A proposed £80million summer transfer to Manchester City has already collapsed.
In one precedent, former Reading defender Kynan Isaac was given a 10-year football ban that ended his career after he was deliberately shown a yellow card while playing for non-league Stratford Town against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup three years ago.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been accused by the FA of breaching betting rules
The FA alleges that Paqueta deliberately secured bookings to influence the betting markets
The FA’s charges against Paqueta relate to bookings he received in four top-flight matches between November 2022 and August 2023.
INCIDENT ONE: November 12, 2022; 60th minute, West Ham 0-2 Leicester City
The first of the four came just before the mid-season break for the World Cup in Qatar in November 2022.
As Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare breaks into the West Ham half, Paqueta chases back and charges at him from behind.
Play initially continued, but when Soumare remains on the grass, referee Jarred Gillett blows his whistle and waves a yellow card, with Paqueta keeping his head down as he accepts the penalty.
Paqueta was investigated for four bookings in particular, the first of which is above
INCIDENT TWO: March 12, 2023; 70th minute, West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa
The second came in another Premier League match at the London Stadium later that season.
Villa’s John McGinn crosses the halfway line and tries to get between Paqueta and Danny Ings. The Brazilian brings him down in the center circle right in front of referee Chris Kavanagh.
The game is immediately stopped and the yellow card handed out by McGinn is far from happy with the tackle.
A tackle on Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn also caused alarm
INCIDENT THREE: May 21, 2023; 65th minute, West Ham 3-1 Leeds United
The third moment is right towards the end of the 2022-2023 campaign.
After Leeds clear a West Ham set-piece with the score at 1-1, Paqueta prevents Crysencio Summerville from breaking away with a trip.
Referee Peter Bankes does not hesitate to show a yellow card.
Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville was knocked out by Paqueta, who was booked for the tackle
INCIDENT FOUR: August 12, 2023; 93rd minute, Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham
The latest incident occurred on the opening day of the season that just ended.
From a goal kick, Paqueta leaps for an aerial challenge just inside Bournemouth’s half and handles the ball.
The referee is again Bankes, who is not far away and gives the yellow card.
Paqueta was under investigation when he picked up the yellow card against Bournemouth
Paqueta has been working with the FA throughout since they launched their investigation in August last year. He turned in his phone and was interviewed several times last fall, but contacted the governing body after he was charged Thursday.
“I am extremely surprised and angry that the FA has decided to charge me,” Paqueta said in a statement on social media. ‘For nine months I cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all possible information.
“I deny the allegations in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will have no further comment.”
Paqueta retains the support of West Ham and will be free to play until the case is heard, which could take several months.
The 26-year-old will play for Brazil in the Copa America this summer, although he was rested for several international matches by head coach Dorival Junior after the FA launched their investigation last year before returning to the squad to face England at Wembley. in March.
The FA was alerted after being tipped off by integrity officers who noticed an unusual amount of gambling activity on these bookings, much of which was traced to the island of Paqueta, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
Paqueta has expressed surprise at the allegations and continues to deny any wrongdoing
Children play football on Paqueta Island in Brazil, which has an unusual amount of gambling activity
When the news broke last year, there was a lot of talk about the gambling investigation on Paqueta Island
‘It is alleged that he directly attempted to influence the proceedings, 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 to either more more people benefit from betting,” the FA said in a statement.
“Lucas categorically denies the infringement and will continue to vigorously defend his position,” West Ham said. “The club will continue to support the player throughout the process.”
Paqueta’s case will be heard by an independent commission and if found guilty he could face a ban. Although Ivan Toney was given an eight-month ban last year for betting on football, it is understood Paqueta has not been accused of placing bets himself.
Paqueta is under contract with West Ham until 2027 and under normal circumstances the club would look to raise funds this summer or agree a long-term extension, but neither scenario is likely to materialize.
City agreed to pay £80 million for Paqueta last year and have identified him as a potential replacement for Bernardo Silva, who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Meeting Paqueta’s release clause would not be an issue for City, but they are unlikely to pursue their interest if he is charged with a gambling offence.
Paqueta has until June 3 to formally respond to the allegations. A disciplinary hearing is expected to take place later this summer.
