The FA are pushing for West Ham United star to be slapped with a ban for LIFE should he be found guilty of spot-fixing, talkSPORT understands.
The Brazilian playmaker’s hearing regarding the alleged offences is due to take place in March and is expected to last three weeks.
Paqueta is accused of picking up four deliberate yellow cards, with each offence carrying a six-month to lifetime ban.
The incidents occurred during the 2022/23 Premier League campaign and the opening fixture of the following season.
The first of Paqueta’s controversial bookings came against Leicester City on November 12 when he hauled down Boubakary Soumare and immediately barged into Dennis Praet.
Paqueta’s next incident occurred on March 12 in 2023 following a poor challenge from behind on Aston Villa skipper John McGinn.
In West Ham’s penultimate clash of the 22/23 season, Paqueta pulled back Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville midway through the second half.
The final of the four bookings in question came against Bournemouth as Paqueta picked up a yellow card following a handball in stoppage time.
In an FA statement last May, it was alleged Paqueta ‘directly sought to influence the progress’ by intentionally receiving a booking ‘for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.’
The Brazilian vehemently defended himself in an Instagram post following the accusations.
“I am frustrated and saddened to read incorrect and false articles in the press, both in Brazil and England, claiming to know details about my case,” Paqueta wrote.
“Some of this information is completely false and seems to be coming out to damage my image. I am also concerned that, even though this information is false, these articles cite sources close to the case.
“The FA’s proceedings are supposedly confidential, and this situation is extremely serious for me and my family. The continued leaking and publication of false information is jeopardising my ability to receive a fair trial.
“Therefore, I have asked my lawyers to write to the FA to request an investigation into how this information, whether true or false, is being made public.
“I will continue to deny the charges and hope to prove my innocence.”
Paqueta’s spot-fixing charges are not the first time the West Ham star has landed himself in hot water with the FA.
In August 2023, the 26-year-old was investigated by the FA for alleged betting breaches was later charged last May.
The FA have not been afraid to hand out strong punishments for those found to be spot-fixing.
GettyPaqueta would not be the first player to be hit with a big ban by the FA for spot-fixing[/caption]
Former Reading defender Kynan Isaac copped a ten-year ban from football in 2022 after he was found guilty of spot-fixing.
The incident in question was when Isaac received a yellow card in an FA Cup fixture against Shrewsbury Town.
Isaac was hit with a further 18-month ban after he was found guilty of placing or enabling nearly 350 bets on games over a five-year period.
However, a lifetime ban has never been issued in English football before.
Paqueta has featured 26 times for the Hammers across all competitions this term and has scored five goals.
However, he’s missed three of West Ham’s last four league games with injury.
