Lucas Paqueta, a West Ham footballer accused of alleged breaches of betting rules, could face a lifetime ban.
Sky Sports reports that the FA is seeking a “lifetime ban” for the 27-year-old Brazilian international, who was previously linked with a move to Manchester City.
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“Lucas Paqueta intentionally sought to receive a card with the improper purpose of affecting betting”
In May 2024, the FA accused Paqueta of committing four offences in relation to his conduct in Premier League matches with West Ham against Leicester City on November 12, 2022; Aston Villa on March 12, 2023; Leeds United on May 21, 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.
The continued leaking and publication of false information is putting him at risk of receiving a fair trial
The FA believes that Lucas Paqueta intentionally “sought to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting betting.”
The investigators noted that the midfielder had received four suspicious yellow cards between 2022 and 2023, which would have been used to profit dozens of people in his country.
The West Ham player’s hearing on betting charges will take place this month, will last three weeks and will be one of the longest court proceedings in FA history.
Lucas Paqueta declares himself innocent: “I will continue to deny the charges and hope to prove my innocence”
Since the investigation began, Lucas Paqueta has pleaded his innocence. “The FA’s procedures are supposedly confidential and are extremely serious for me and my family. The continued leaking and publication of false information is putting my ability to receive a fair trial at risk… I will continue to deny the charges and hope to be able to prove my innocence,” the player said in a statement shortly after the case broke.
