FA 'calling for' lifetime ban for West Ham's Lucas Paqueta: Report

The FA is accusing the Brazilian midfielder of two more charges in betting.

Lucas Paqueta could face a lifetime ban from football as two more charges of betting have been reported. The West Ham player gave in his cell phone 12 months ago to the FA, after they started looking into questionable betting patterns related to four of his Premier League bookings.

For around eight weeks last fall, the FA held Paqueta’s phone while investigators examined his bank accounts, messages, and call log.

Meanwhile, the Brazilian was using a new phone. After the FA returned his original phone, the player threw his new phone which further raised more suspicion.

The FA is now accusing the Brazilian midfielder of two more charges for allegedly impeding the investigation by refusing to participate. He is scheduled to appear in court in March next year.

His first charges were based on the FA’s allegations that Lucas Paqueta purposefully got yellow cards in 2023–24 Premier League games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth. This was done so that he or his colleagues could profit from wagers on him getting booked. Interestingly, Paquetá has refuted every accusation made against him.

According to reports, some 60 people in Brazil gambled between £7 and £400 on him getting a card during those games, resulting in a total winning prize of £100,000.

Although his hearing is scheduled for March, a verdict may not be rendered until the summer. This implies that he will be able to play for the remainder of the current season. However, if he is convicted, he might be banned for life.

Ironically even though one of the wagers on Lucas Paqueta was as low as only £7, the FA is attempting to get him banned for life. However, Paqueta vehemently continues to dispute any misconduct.

It is likely that his performance at West Ham this season has been impacted by the continuing lawsuit. The player did score in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town.

After some outstanding effort by Jarrod Bowen to generate the opportunity, he tapped home in the 69th minute to complete the scoring for the Hammers.

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