Paqueta charged By FA Over Betting Rule breaches

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the Football Association for allegedly getting booked deliberately “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market”.

The charges relate to a Premier League game against Leicester City on 12 November in 2022, plus 2023 fixtures against Aston Villa on 12 March, Leeds United on 21 May and Bournemouth on 12 August.

The 26-year-old Brazil international had been under investigation since last summer over suspicious betting patterns.

An FA statement said: “It’s alleged that he [Paqueta] directly sought 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.”

Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon for an initial £36.5m in August 2022, said he was “extremely surprised and upset” by the charges.

“For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny all the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name,” he added.

A West Ham statement said: “The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.”

He has until 3 June to “provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline”.