Lucas Paquetá was reported on Thursday by the English Football Association (FA) for misconduct in West Ham matches in the Premier League.
After a nine-month investigation into the player’s possible involvement in sports betting, the player has until June 3 to present his defense. This rare case can result in severe punishment for the Brazilian national team midfielder.
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Lucas Paquetá may be banned from football
Paquetá is accused of four violations of FA Rule E5.1 (Football Association of England), related to his conduct in four Premier League matches.
This rule prohibits players from attempting to influence, directly or indirectly, any aspect of a game for improper purposes.
If it is proven that a bet affected the outcome or progress of a match, the player may be convicted. And the penalty can be a lifetime ban from football.
The case is treated as a matter of integrity of games and competitions, and is different from the case of Ivan Toney, from Brentford, who bet on matches. Lucas Paquetá received a yellow card in the four matches in question:
- Against Leicester City, on November 12, 2022;
- Against Aston Villa, on March 12, 2023;
- Against Leeds United, on May 21, 2023;
- Against Bournemouth, on August 12, 2023.
The FA alleges that Paquetá “directly sought to influence the development, conduct or any other aspect or occurrence of these matches, intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market so that one or more persons could profit from bets.”
The federation does not specify the sanctions for violating rule E5.1, but in cases of use of inside information for betting, a player can receive anything from a six-month suspension to a lifetime ban, in addition to a fine.
The FA’s regulatory commission will assess whether Paquetá provided information and assistance to the authorities, which could mitigate a possible punishment.
Paquetá positions himself
Lucas Paquetá will have until June 3 to present his defense. The Brazilian midfielder spoke about the case through a text posted on his social networks and denied the accusations.
“I am extremely surprised and saddened by the fact that the FA has decided to accuse me. I cooperated with all stages of the investigation and provided all the information I could during these nine months – wrote the Brazilian player. I completely deny the accusations and will fight with all my might to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not provide any further comments,” wrote the midfielder.
Lucas Paquetá played 43 games for West Ham this season, scoring 8 goals and providing 7 assists. He has a contract with the English club until June 30, 2027.
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