West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association for allegedly getting booked intentionally “for the improper goal of affecting the betting market”.
The 4 fees relate to a Premier League sport in opposition to Leicester City on 12 November in 2022, plus 2023 fixtures in opposition to Aston Villa on 12 March, Leeds United on 21 May and Bournemouth on 12 August.
The 26-year-old Brazil worldwide had been under investigation since final summer season over suspicious betting patterns.
An FA assertion mentioned: “It’s alleged that he [Paqueta] straight sought to affect the progress, conduct, or every other facet of, or prevalence in these matches by deliberately seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper goal of affecting the betting market so as for a number of individuals to revenue from betting.”
Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon for an initial £36.5m in August 2022, mentioned he was “extraordinarily shocked and upset” by the costs.
“For 9 months, I’ve co-operated with each step of their investigation and offered all the knowledge I can. I deny all the costs of their entirety and can struggle with each breath to clear my identify,” he added.
Paqueta has additionally been charged with “two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2”, which relates to offering info and paperwork.
The fees got here on the identical day the Hammers confirmed the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach following the departure of David Moyes.
A West Ham assertion mentioned: “The membership will proceed to stand by and assist the participant all through the method.”
Paqueta, who has been picked in Brazil’s squad for the Copa America subsequent month, has till 3 June to reply to the cost of “misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3” topic to any request for an extension.
