West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the English Football Association (FA) for allegedly breaking betting rules.
The allegations of betting violations surrounding Paqueta have been ongoing. The FA had previously investigated Paqueta, culminating in the charges. “Paqueta has been charged with breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3,” the FA announced in a statement on March 23.
The moment of the alleged offense was also revealed. “Paqueta is charged with breaching FA Regulation E5 on November 12, 2022 against Leicester City, March 12, 2023 against Aston Villa, May 21, 2023 against Leeds United and August 12, 2023 against Bournemouth,” the FA added.
Paqueta’s charge, according to the FA, is a ‘wilful warning’. “He attempted to obtain a caution from a referee for the improper purpose of influencing the betting market for profit. This was to directly influence the conduct or other aspects of the match,” the FA explained.
In fact, Paqueta was cautioned in the 60th minute against Leicester City and in the 70th minute against Villa. Against Leeds, he was cautioned in the 65th minute, and against Bournemouth in the opening game of the 2023-24 Premier League season, he was cautioned in the 90+4th minute at the end of the second half.
Paqueta expressed his frustration. “I am very surprised and upset that the FA have decided to charge me,” he said on social media on Thursday. For nine months I cooperated with every step of the investigation and provided all the information I could. I deny all the allegations and will do everything in my power to clear my name.”
Even West Ham have weighed in. A West Ham spokesperson said: “The club acknowledges that Paqueta has been charged with an alleged breach of FA regulations. Paqueta categorically denies any wrongdoing and will continue to defend his position vigorously. The club will stand by and support Paqueta throughout this process and will have no further comment until the matter is fully concluded.”
Paqueta played the season while being investigated for the allegations. He has continued to perform well this season. In 31 league games, he scored four 카지노사이트 goals and provided six assists, and in the UEFA Europa League (UEL), he scored four goals in nine games. He helped his team reach the quarterfinals.
He has been linked with a move to Manchester City. An attacking midfielder and central midfielder, Paqueta can add strength to the midfield. His creative passing and flashes of brilliance were certainly competitive. To make matters worse, with Kevin De Bruyne rumored to be on his way to the Saudi Arabian Pro League, interest in Paqueta only grew.
However, this could all be for naught. According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Paqueta could face a ban of up to 10 years if convicted of the charge. This would be similar to former Reading defender Keenan Isaacs, who was banned from playing for 10 years after receiving a warning for intentionally citing.
If Paqueta is found guilty and given a 10-year ban, as reported by the media, his career would effectively be over. Born in 1997, Paqueta is now in his mid-to-late 20s. Even if he were to return in 10 years, he would be looking at a long shot, and his game would be dulled. There”s a lot of interest in what kind of sentence Paqueta will receive.