‘I will fight with every breath in my life to clear my name,’ Lucas Paquetá vows after being charged for breaching betting rules
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá has vowed to fight with every breath in his life to clear his name after he was charged by the English Football Association (FA) for misconduct over alleged breaches of FA Rules E5 and F3.
The talented Brazilian was charged by the FA in a statement released on Friday for allegedly being booked “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.”
The FA claimed that Paquetá intentionally sought to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market for one or more persons to profit from betting.
The four accusations levied against the player are related to matches in 2023 against Aston Villa on March 12, Leeds United on May 21, and Bournemouth on August 12, as well as a Premier League match against Leicester City on November 12, 2022.
“It’s alleged that he [Paqueta] directly sought 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.” The statement by the FA read in part.
While reacting to the allegations levelled against him, Paquetá, who has until June 3, 2024, to respond to court, denied all the charges against him in their entirety.
“For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny all the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name,” he added.
