Lucas Paqueta, an English Premier League soccer player, is facing the prospect of a lifetime ban after he was charged with breaching betting rules.
The West Ham United attacker will face a hearing later this month, in what is expected to be one of the longest legal proceedings in English soccer history.
The Football Association (FA), English soccer’s governing body, is said to be seeking a punitive lifetime ban for the Brazilian international player due to the severity of the alleged indiscretions.
Paqueta was charged with breaching betting rules in May last year over spot-fixing offenses in four different Premier League games that he was involved in.
The FA has flagged his conduct in Premier League matches against Leicester City in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds United in May 2023, and against Bournemouth in August 2024.
According to the FA’s rule book, the main charge sets out that Paqueta attempted to “influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”
Two further breaches of another FA rule have been cited against the former AC Milan and Lyon man.
Exclusive: West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta’s hearing into alleged breach of FA's betting rules due to take place this month and will last three weeks, Sky Sports News understands.
The FA are seeking a lifetime ban for Paqueta. pic.twitter.com/hVzP7zvMY1
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2025
Insists he has done nothing wrong
The Rio de Janiero-born, 27-year-old denies all charges and is said to be determined to fight his case.
Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol has briefed that the FA is asking for a lifetime ban for the player.
“My understanding of Paqueta’s situation is, his feeling is, whatever happens, he will clear his name.”
“He insists he has done nothing wrong and will not rest until his name is cleared,” said Solhekol.
West Ham are currently 15th in the Premier League table as manager Graham Potter strives to steer the Hammers away from the relegation danger zone.
He may have to complete that mission without the services of the talented Paqueta, who faces a threat to his overall career, looking beyond the short-term situation of the current season.
Image credit: West Ham United/X
