The 26-year-old midfielder is accused of intentionally accumulating yellow cards in four Premier League games against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth. If the FA (Football Association) finds him guilty, Paqueta could face a lifetime ban from football.
According to The Sun, West Ham is considering appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. The club disputes the FA’s jurisdiction, arguing that the questionable betting activity related to Paqueta took place in Brazil. They also believe it’s excessive for Paqueta to risk losing his career over these allegations.
Paqueta remains eligible to play for West Ham until the FA’s disciplinary process is complete. The Brazilian international has consistently denied any involvement in spot-fixing. He stated, “For nine months, I have co-operated 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.”
The accusations against Paqueta emerged in August 2023, leading to the collapse of his £85m ($109m) transfer to Manchester City, the Premier League champions. The FA’s guidelines suggest bans for spot-fixing offenses can range from six months to life.
After competing in the Copa America with Brazil, Paqueta is expected to rejoin West Ham in the U.S. next week for their pre-season tour. The Hammers will face Wolves, Crystal Palace, and Celta Vigo before starting their Premier League season against Aston Villa.
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