Paqueta, the accusation is official

Revealed last summer, the case of potentially rigged bets targeting Lucas Paqueta could cost the former Lyon player very dearly. The English Federation officially accused him this Thursday.

Disaster confirmed for Lucas Paqueta. If he will have to wait to find out if he is judged guilty or innocent, the West Ham midfielder was officially accused of match-fixing this Thursday by the English Federation (FA). Last August, the press revealed that potentially rigged bets had been reported. The latter concerned maximum bets placed before the match on a yellow card that the former OL player could have received (who was warned during the match), all by accounts mysteriously created for the occasion. After a nine-month investigation, the FA therefore delivered its verdict. The rest promises to be complicated for Lucas Paqueta.

In October, the Brazilian assured he was innocent. He had even actively participated in the investigation, notably giving access to his phone to the police. But the investigations therefore continued and as reported by the Dailymail This Thursday, the FA pushed its research further, and questioned four cards received by the West Ham player between 2022 and 2023. The body considered that the latter had indeed violated the rules governing betting. The matches concerned are those between West Ham and Leicester (November 12, 2022), Aston Villa (March 12, 2023), Leeds (May 21, 2023) and Bournemouth (August 12, 2023), the FA said in its press release.

Ready to fight, Paqueta doesn’t understand

The body also specified that Lucas Paqueta “ management sought to influence the progress, conduct or any other aspect or event of these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card (…) with the inappropriate aim of directing the betting market so that one or more people profit from their Paris “. For now, the Brazilian can count on the support of his club which hastened to communicate in turn: “ Lucas categorically denies any violations and will continue to vigorously defend his position. The club will continue to support the player throughout the process. »

The main person concerned also broke the silence by publishing a message on his social networks: “ I am very surprised and annoyed that the FA decided to charge me. For nine months, I collaborated at every stage of their investigation and gave them all the information I could give. I deny all charges and will fight to the end to clear my name. Due to the ongoing procedure, I will not make any further comments on the subject. » Lucas Paqueta has until June 3 to officially respond to the accusations against him. THE Dailymail also specified that a disciplinary hearing should take place during the summer and that the player risked up to ten years of suspension.