These are the four moments which could see West Ham star Lucas Paqueta banned for 10 years.
The Brazilian has been charged by the Football Association with four counts of alleged spot-fixing by deliberately getting booked in an attempt to influence betting markets.
The FA allege that Paqueta picked up yellow cards on purpose in Premier League matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth so either he or his friends could profit through betting.
Paqueta strenuously denies any wrongdoing but if found guilty, the resulting ban could wreck his career. A proposed £80million summer move to Manchester City has already collapsed.
In one precedent, the former Reading defender Kynan Isaac was given a career-ending 10-year ban from football after deliberately getting booked playing for non-league Stratford Town against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup three years ago.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the FA with breaking betting rules
The FA allege Paqueta deliberately picked up bookings to influence betting markets
The FA’s charges against Paqueta relate to bookings he received in four top-flight games between November 2022 and August 2023.
INCIDENT ONE: November 12, 2022; 60th minute, West Ham 0-2 Leicester City
The first of the four came just before the mid-season break for the Qatar World Cup in November 2022.
As Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare breaks into the West Ham half, Paqueta chased back and lunges into him from behind.
Play initially continued but when Soumare remains down on the turf, referee Jarred Gillett blows his whistle and brandishes a yellow card, with Paqueta keeping his head bowed as he accepts the punishment.
Paqueta came under scrutiny for four bookings in particular, the first of which is above
INCIDENT TWO: March 12, 2023; 70th minute, West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa
The second came in another Premier League game at the London Stadium later that season.
Villa’s John McGinn crosses the halfway line and tries to get between Paqueta and Danny Ings. The Brazilian brings him down in the centre circle right in front of referee Chris Kavanagh.
Play is halted immediately and the yellow card produced with McGinn far from happy at the tackle.
A tackle on Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn was also one that triggered alarms
INCIDENT THREE: May 21, 2023; 65th minute, West Ham 3-1 Leeds United
The third moment is right towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
After Leeds clear a West Ham set-piece with the scores locked at 1-1, Paqueta prevents Crysencio Summerville breaking away with a trip.
Referee Peter Bankes has little hesitation in showing a yellow card.
Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville was taken out by Paqueta, who was booked for this tackle
INCIDENT FOUR: August 12, 2023; 93rd minute, Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham
The final incident occurred on the opening day of the season just finishing.
From a goal kick, Paqueta jumps for an aerial challenge just inside the Bournemouth half and handles the ball.
The referee is again Bankes, who isn’t too far away and issues the booking.
Paqueta was under investigation when he picked up the yellow card against Bournemouth
Paqueta has co-operated with the FA throughout since they launched their investigation last August, handing in his phone and being interviewed on several occasions last autumn, but hit out at the governing body after being charged on Thursday.
‘I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,’ Paqueta said in a statement on social media. ‘For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.
‘I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment.’
Paqueta retains the support of West Ham and will be free to play until the case is heard, which could take several months.
The 26-year-old is due to play for Brazil in the Copa America this summer, although he was rested for several international games by head coach Dorival Junior after the FA launched their investigation last year before returning to the side to face England at Wembley in March.
The FA were alerted after being tipped off by integrity officers who had spotted an unusual amount of betting activity on those bookings, much of it traced to Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janeiro.
Paqueta has expressed his surprise at the charges and continues to deny any wrongdoing
Children play football on Paqueta island in Brazil, where unusual amounts of betting activity were traced back to
Paqueta island was rife with talk of the betting investigation when news broke last year
‘It is alleged that he 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 FA said in a statement.
‘Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position,’ West Ham said. ‘The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.’
Paqueta’s case will be heard by an independent commission and he could be given a ban if found guilty. While Ivan Toney received an eight-month ban for betting on football last year it is understood that Paqueta has not been accused of placing any bets himself.
Paqueta is contracted to West Ham until 2027 and under normal circumstances the club would either seek to cash in this summer or agree a long-term extension, but neither scenario is now likely to materialise.
City agreed to pay £80m for Paqueta last year and have identified him as a potential replacement for Bernardo Silva, who is wanted by Paris Saint-Germain.
Meeting Paqueta’s release clause would not be a problem for City, but they are unlikely to pursue their interest if he is charged with a betting offence.
Paqueta has until June 3 to formally respond to the charges, with a disciplinary hearing expected to take place later this summer.