The English Football Association (FA) will decide whether to acquit or ban West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá in the case related to betting manipulation. There is no provision for a suspension, according to information from journalist Fred Caldeira, from TNT Sports, the choice of a “middle ground” has been ruled out. The announcement of the decision should take place in the first half of June.
English FA accusations
The FA has accused Lucas Paquetá of breaching Rule E5.1, which prohibits attempting to improperly influence the outcome or any aspect of football matches. According to the investigation, Paquetá is alleged to have received yellow cards on purpose in four Premier League games between November 2022 and August 2023 to favour Brazilian bettors.
Paquetá received cards in the following matches:
- Leicester, on 12 November 2022,
- Aston Villa on March 12, 2023,
- Leeds United on May 21, 2023,
- Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
Lucas Paquetá has denied all the allegations from the beginning, but the effects of the investigation can still be seen on the pitch. In the match against Tottenham, in the last round of the Premier League, the player cried after receiving a yellow card. His teammates consoled him on the pitch.
Possible sanctions for Lucas Paquetá
The FA’s disciplinary rules do not detail specific penalties for breaches of Rule E5.1. However, in cases of insider trading, penalties range from a fine and a six-month suspension to a ban from football.
If convicted, Paquetá will be able to appeal to the FA itself and then to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Cooperation during the investigation could reduce the punishment. Therefore, there is a possibility of finishing the season with the club.
In addition to these accusations, the investigation is looking into Paquetá’s misconduct, as he did not provide documents and information requested during the process.
Family participation
The CPI on Gambling and Sports Betting Manipulation, led by the Brazilian Senate, recommended the indictment of Bruno Tolentino, Paquetá’s uncle, for possible involvement in the case. The commission’s report indicates that Tolentino had made suspicious financial transactions. Finally, these transactions include payments to players for match-fixing.