Attacking midfielder of the English Premier League club West Ham United and the Brazilian national team Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the football association (FA) with violating regulatory rules.
According to the statement on the official FA website, the 26-year-old midfielder of the Hammers allegedly attempted to influence the outcome of four matches during the seasons of the Premier League 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Paqueta deliberately sought warnings from the referee with the inappropriate intent of influencing the betting market and enabling interested parties to profit from betting.
The Brazilian is accused of four such violations: the Premier League matches against Leicester City (November 12, 2022), Aston Villa (March 12, 2023), Leeds United (May 21, 2023), and Bournemouth (August 12, 2023). Paqueta is required to present his defense by June 3.
In the Premier League 2023/2024 season, the midfielder played in 31 matches for the London-based club, scoring four goals and providing six assists. Paqueta also scored four goals in nine Europa League matches. The footballer's contract with West Ham runs until the end of June 2027, and according to Transfermarkt data, his value is 65 million euros.