West Ham star Lucas Paqueta is charged with breaking betting rules, derailing £80m Man City transfer, with three specific yellow cards identified for suspicious betting patterns
- The FA has investigated three bookings Paqueta received last year
- The West Ham midfielder is now facing charges for breaching betting rules
- Has Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of Erik ten Hag’s darkness through the departure of Mauricio Pochettino? – Listen to the It all starts! Podcast
Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the FA for alleged breaches of gambling rules. This is a dramatic development that is likely to derail a proposed £80million transfer to Manchester City this summer.
The FA has been investigating suspected gambling activity surrounding four bookings Paqueta received in 2022 and 2023 for almost nine months, and Mail Sport has learned that the Brazil international is facing disciplinary charges.
The Brazil international has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3, which relates to ‘alleged failures in compliance with FA Rule F2’.
Paqueta denies any wrongdoing and any knowledge of the suspicious bets, which have been traced to Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janiero.
The West Ham midfielder posted a statement on Instagram on Thursday afternoon following the charges: ‘I am extremely surprised and angry that the FA have decided to charge me.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been accused by the FA of breaching betting rules
The FA has investigated suspicious gambling patterns surrounding four bookings Paqueta received in 2022 and 2023
One of the bookings under investigation took place in West Ham’s match against Aston Villa in March 2023
‘For nine months I cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all possible information. I deny the allegations in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.
“Due to the ongoing process, I will have no further comment.”
The 26-year-old was interviewed by the FA last September and gave the governing body access to his phone the following month.
The FA investigation was triggered by suspicious betting patterns surrounding an injury-time yellow card given to Paqueta during West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on the opening day of the season last August.
As well as booking Paqueta for pushing Bournemouth’s Illia Zabarnyi, the FA also investigated betting on two yellow cards he received last season; one for a late challenge on John McGinn in a 1–1 draw against Aston Villa on 11 March and another for a foul on Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville on 21 May.
Paqueta’s case will be heard by an independent commission and if found guilty he could face a ban. Although Ivan Toney was given an eight-month ban last year for betting on football, it is understood Paqueta has not been accused of placing bets himself.
The FA’s plans to charge Paqueta are a blow to both the player and his club as it will destroy his transfer value and cause major problems for the new head coach.
Paqueta is under contract with West Ham until 2027 and under normal circumstances the club would look to raise funds this summer or agree a long-term extension, but neither scenario is likely to materialise.
City agreed to pay £80 million for Paqueta last year and have identified him as a potential replacement for Bernando Silva, who is wanted by Paris Saint Germain.
Meeting Paqueta’s release clause would not be an issue for City, but they are unlikely to pursue their interest if he is charged with a gambling offence.
The FA and West Ham have been approached for comment.