Suspected of having intentionally sought to receive yellow cards to direct sports bets, Lucas Paqueta could be heavily sanctioned by the English Federation. According to the English press, West Ham is even preparing for a disaster scenario.
Did Lucas Paqueta play the last match of his career on May 19 in West Ham’s defeat against Manchester City in the Premier League? The hypothesis is not totally far-fetched.
Accused by the English Federation of having sought “intentionally to receive a card from the referee” on several occasions over the last two seasons to direct sports bets, the former OL midfielder risks a huge sanction. According to The Guardian, the Hammers even fear an early end to their player’s career if the English Federation decides to strike a major blow by inflicting a record suspension on him.
The example of a defender suspended for 10 years
For its part, the Daily Mail cites the example of former English defender Kynan Isaac, notably with Reading and Luton, who received a 10-year ban in 2022 for his involvement in match-fixing. He was notably accused, among several infractions of the rules related to sports betting, of having pushed a referee to give him a yellow card.
The FA cited four Premier League matches where the behavior of Paqueta, author of eight goals and seven assists this season in all competitions, appears suspicious: against Leicester on November 12, 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023 and Bournemouth in August 2023.
“It is alleged that he directly sought to influence the course, conduct or any other aspect or event of these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee with the improper aim of affecting the betting market so that “one or more people benefit from betting,” the federation wrote.
The 26-year-old Brazilian, who proclaimed his innocence on his social networks, has until June 3, 2024 to respond to these accusations. “I am extremely surprised and upset,” published the former OL player. “For the past nine months, I have cooperated with every step of the investigation and provided all information possible. I deny the accusations in their entirety and will fight with all my strength to clear my name. Due to the ongoing proceedings , I will not make any further comment.”
According to the English press, his situation has already cooled Manchester City, who for a time planned to attract him this summer before withdrawing.
