Lucas Paqueta

“Will fight with every breath”: Lucas Paqueta blasts FA for charging him for breach of betting rules

Sachin Bhat

The FA announced their decision just a while ago

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the FA for breach of betting rules, but the Brazilian remains defiant and vowed to fight it. He lashed out at the English football’s governing body over their decision on an Instagram post.

The FA stated that Paqueta breached the rules in three games during the 2022-23 season, his first in the Premier League with the Hammers, and in the opening fixture of the 2023-24 season too. Their charges state that he attempted 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 games in question were against Leicester City on 12 November 2022, Aston Villa on 12 March 2022, Leeds United on 21 May 2023, and Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.

Paqueta, though, denied the charges, revealing that he co-operated with the FA throughout their investigations and was “upset” with their decision. He wrote:

“I’m extremely surprised and upset to see that the FA have decided to charge me. For nine months, I’ve 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 provide any further comment”.

Although it’s unclear what punishment will be sentenced to him, Paqueta has until 3 June to formally respond to his charges.

Paqueta has been a good addition to West Ham

His off-field issues aside, Lucas Paqueta has been a good signing for West Ham. Acquired on a £50 million transfer from Lyon in 2022, the Brazilian won the Europa Conference League last year, his first season with the Hammers. He assisted the winner for Jarrod Bowen in the 90th minute of their finals against Fiorentina. This season, the former AC Milan attacking midfielder struck four goals and assisted six more in the Premier League to help them achieve a ninth-place finish.

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