Manchester City may have to abandon interest in West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta for the second summer running after the Brazilian was charged with four breaches of FA betting rules.
City were interested in Paqueta last summer but moved onto other targets when learning that he was under investigation for betting breaches. They had been linked with him against after an impressive season at the London Stadium, with a reported release clause of £85m said to be the price needed to sign him.
However, on Thursday the FA charged Paqueta with four breaches of betting rules, alleging that he ‘intentionally [sought] 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.’
An FA statement 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.”
Paqueta was also charged with two breaches of FA rules F3 for non-compliance, and in response, he expressed his disappointment at receiving the charges.
He wrote on social media: “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny all 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.”
With charges now brought against Paqueta, City may have to look elsewhere for a midfield signing this summer. Bernardo Silva is linked with an exit, so a replacement midfielder could be necessary should the influential Portuguese leave.
A Premier League star has been accused by the FA of spot-fixing by allegedly deliberately getting booked by referees in several fixtures over two seasons.
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged with four breaches in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
It’s alleged 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”, the FA said in a statement.
Paqueta, 26, said he was “extremely surprised and upset” that he had been charged – and said he “denied any charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name”.
The Brazil international has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 over alleged failures to comply with their requests for information and documents.
But he said: “For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.”
The FA launched an investigation after suspicious betting patterns were noticed around a booking he received in added time in the 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on the opening day of the season last August, Sky Sports said. The bets were placed from accounts registered in Paquetá, an island off Rio de Janeiro, but the bets were not placed by the player.
The bets were reported to the International Betting Integrity Association who alerted FIFA and the FA.
