Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who is currently participating with his national team at the 2024 Copa America, was charged by the English Football Association in May for allegedly breaching the FA’s rules on betting.
The West Ham star is being accused of getting booked deliberately in four matches during the 2022-23 Premier League (Aston Villa, Leeds, Leicester and Bournemouth) to benefit those who bet on him getting a yellow card.
The Brazil star has firmly denied the accusations, but it looks like he’s facing severe punishment. According to The Sun, the FA’s charge sheet includes a recommendation to ban Paqueta for life if found guilty.
The FA takes this situations very seriously, as we could see with Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali. The former got an eight-month ban, which saw him being removed from FIFA 23. The latter agreed to a 10-month suspension in October 2023 before getting a further two-month ban in May 2024.
Why is Paqueta being investigated by the FA?
The report from The Sun revealed further details on Paqueta’s alleged betting breaches, claiming 60 people gambled on Paqueta getting booked in games against Aston Villa, Leeds, Leicester and Bournemouth during the 2022-23 Premier League.
The stake of the bets reportedly went from as little as £7 to an impressive £400, leading to a combined earnings of £100,000 for those who gambled on Paqueta to get booked in these games.
According to the Daily Mail, the investigation started in August 2023 after Betway reported suspicious activity to the FA, tracing the bets to Paqueta Island in Guanbara Bay, close to where the Brazilian midfielder grew up.
Why is Lucas Paqueta playing at the 2024 Copa America with Brazil?
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) determined that since Paqueta received no suspension from the FA yet, there is no impediment to him taking part at the 2024 Copa America.
“It is right to say that the athlete is free to exercise his professional role until the present moment, the source of his livelihood and that of his family, in a full and unrestricted manner, whether through his club or through the selection of his team or country of origin,” a CBF statement read. “In view of the facts reported by the English Federation, the CBF, supported by the opinion prepared jointly by the legal, governance, and compliance directorates and the integrity unit, decides to maintain the player’s call-up.”
Lucas Paqueta denies betting breaches
Paqueta, who appreciated Brazil coach Dorival Junior and the CBF’s support, has denied any wrongdoing. Shortly after being charged by the FA, he took to social media with the following message:
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing further comment.”
