West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for allegedly breaching betting rules.
The charges stem from four Premier League matches in 2022 and 2023, including games against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth.
The FA alleges that Paqueta, 26, deliberately sought to get booked in these matches to influence the betting market and allow others to profit from betting.
The Brazilian international has been under investigation since last summer due to suspicious betting patterns.
Paqueta has expressed his surprise and upset at the charges, stating that he has cooperated fully with the investigation and provided all necessary information. He denies the charges entirely and vows to fight to clear his name.
West Ham United has pledged to stand by and support Paqueta throughout the process.
He has until June 3 to respond to the charges, with the option to request an extension if needed.
The charges against Paqueta are a serious matter, and the outcome could have significant implications for his career and the wider football community.
