WEST HAM midfielder Lucas Paqueta is at risk of a lengthy ban from football due to alleged betting connections to four yellow card offences.
Paqueta, 26, was charged by the FA this week for a breach of betting rules.
The FA are accusing him of intentionally getting booked "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit".
It is claimed Paqueta deliberately set out to get a yellow card against Leicester City in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023 and Bournemouth on the opening day of this season.
First incident - West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
In the first incident, the Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester's Boubakary Soumare from behind.
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After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
Second incident - West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
The second incident occurred four months later against Aston Villa at the London Stadium.
Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
Third incident - West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
The third happened at the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds, again at the London Stadium.
To prevent the visitors from breaking on the counter attack, Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
Referee Peter Bankes was quick to brandish a yellow for the cynical foul.
Fourth incident - Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.
Despite being charged, Paqueta strongly denies all allegations.
In a statement posted on social media, he wrote: "I’m extremely surprised and upset the FA has decided to charge me.
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"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.
"Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing further comment."
However, he could be at risk of receiving a career-ending ban.
In 2022, Stratford Town defender Kynan Isaac was banned for a decade for his role in a spot-fixing scheme with friends.
An independent commission gave him the longest ban since the 1964 match-fixing scandal, which led to several players being jailed and given life bans.
Paqueta is not accused of betting himself, which players are barred from.
The bets in question were placed by accounts registered in Paqueta Island — just off Rio de Janeiro — where the West Ham star was born.
