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West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is set to face a three-week hearing this month regarding allegations of breaching the Football Association’s (FA) betting rules. The Brazilian international, who was charged in May last year, strongly denies the accusations, but the FA is reportedly pushing for a lifetime ban if he is found guilty.
One of the Longest FA Proceedings in History
The case against Paqueta is expected to be among the longest hearings in FA history, spanning three weeks. The FA has accused the player of deliberately earning yellow cards in four Premier League matches—against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth—allegedly to manipulate betting markets for financial gain.
According to the charges from May 2024, Paqueta is said to have “intentionally sought to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.” These allegations suggest that either Paqueta or associates may have benefited financially from wagers placed on him being booked.
Paqueta Denies Wrongdoing, Vows to Clear His Name
Paqueta has remained steadfast in his denial of the charges, insisting he has never placed a bet on football and has cooperated fully with the investigation. In a previous statement, he expressed his frustration, stating, “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
Both the FA and West Ham United have declined to comment on the matter.
Additional Allegations of Non-Cooperation
Further complicating the situation, Paqueta was hit with additional charges in October for allegedly failing to cooperate with the FA’s investigation. Reports suggest he obstructed the inquiry, though the midfielder has refuted these claims, criticizing media leaks that he believes could jeopardize his right to a fair hearing.
“The FA proceedings are supposed to be confidential, yet misleading and inaccurate information keeps surfacing,” Paqueta stated. “I have asked my lawyers to demand an investigation into how details of my case are being made public.”
Investigations Extend Beyond England
The controversy extends beyond Paqueta himself. His uncle, Bruno Tolentino, is also under investigation in Brazil after reportedly making a £5,000 payment to former Real Betis striker Luiz Henrique days after Henrique received two yellow cards. Spanish authorities have since launched their own probe into the matter, though both Tolentino and Henrique deny any involvement in wrongdoing.
The allegations first surfaced last August when West Ham’s shirt sponsor, Betway, flagged irregular betting patterns. Since then, the case has overshadowed Paqueta’s career, even preventing a high-profile £85 million transfer to Manchester City, which collapsed due to the FA investigation.
FA’s Crackdown on Betting Violations
The FA has taken a firm stance on betting-related offenses in recent years, with severe punishments handed out to those found guilty. While lifetime bans are rare—especially in the Premier League—precedents exist. Former Reading defender Kynan Isaac was handed a ten-year suspension in 2022 for spot-fixing, and further bans have been issued for breaches of betting regulations.
With Paqueta’s case now entering a crucial phase, the outcome of this hearing could have lasting implications on his footballing future. For now, the Brazilian remains determined to fight the charges and clear his name.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jorono, Pexels / Ray Zhu
