EXCLUSIVE: WEST HAM MIDFIELDER CAREER MIGHT BE OVER ACCORDING TO LEADING SPORTS LAWYER
The Football Association has revealed that West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged for breaking betting laws, which might mean the end of his career, according to a top sports lawyer.
The FA published the allegations on Thursday, confirming that they related to four Premier League games in which Paqueta was booked.
According to their statement, “It’s 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.”
For his part Paqueta continues to deny the allegations against him.
What punishment could Lucas Paqueta face?
The Premier League has seen some high-profile betting suspensions in the last 12 months. England and Brentford’s Ivan Toney was suspended for eight months in 2023 after admitting to 232 charges of gambling on various games – but never on himself to lose while playing.
Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali has missed nearly all of this season after being suspended by Italian authorities last year, and the FA has also given him a suspended term for betting activity in England.
However, Paqueta’s predicament appears to be more serious than previously reported, and we chatted directly with prominent sports lawyer and partner at Leathes Prior, Dan Chapman, to get his perspective on the case.
He explained to us: “If Paqueta were found guilty of these offenses, which he strongly denies, we would likely face a sanction far greater than that imposed on players such as Ivan Toney or Sandro Tonali, who were found guilty of betting on the outcome of matches (often matches in which they were not involved).
“Paqueta’s alleged spot-fixing would be considered a far more serious type of offence, as it undermines the integrity of the game and is an overt attempt by one individual to manipulate sporting outcomes on the field for his own financial benefit, or the benefit of others associated with him.
It is worth noting that, in addition to the primary spot-fixing penalty under FA Rule E5.1, he has also been charged with FA Rule F2, which is effectively a failure to cooperate with the investigation charge.
FA guidelines point to lifetime ban
“While there have been a number of spot-fixing sanctions in other sports (mostly cricket), there aren’t many high-profile examples in UK football. However, according to the FA’s sentencing guidelines, the starting point for a violation of FA Rule E5.1 is a lifetime suspension, and only in extraordinary circumstances should a ban be anything different.
“Much will be made of Kynan Isaac, a non-league player who was found guilty of willfully obtaining a yellow card for betting purposes, and his 10-year ban in 2022. After reading the independent regulatory commission’s decision in that case, it is worth noting that Isaac was found guilty of seeking a yellow card in one game only, but he was heavily criticised for his conduct and lack of cooperation with the regulatory process; we can assume Paqueta will cooperate and will be assisted by high-quality legal representation.
“It is also worth noting that Bradley Wood was banned for five years in 2018 for deliberately seeking a yellow card on two occasions while playing for Lincoln City, and the FA unsuccessfully appealed that decision as being unduly lenient.”
“What is clear is that, if found guilty, it is hard to imagine Paqueta would not be facing an extremely substantial ban, and that the FA will be bound to seek a lengthy ban, and one that in reality would likely be all but career-ending.”
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