The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Paqueta will fight spot-fixing charge
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has vowed to “fight with every breath” to clear his name after being charged with four spotfixing offences.
The Football Association alleges the Brazil international attempted to get booked for betting purposes in Premier League matches against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023 and Bournemouth last August.
However, Paqueta will forcefully contest the disciplinary action.
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,” he wrote on his social media accounts. “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 any further comment.”
West Ham have pledged to stand by their player.
“Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position,” a club spokesperson said.
“The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process and will make no further comment until the matter is concluded.”
Paqueta has also been charged with “two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2”, which relates to providing information and documents.
A statement from the FA said: “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.”
Paqueta has until June 3 to provide a response to the charges, subject to any request for an extension to this deadline.
Sporting sanctions for players found guilty of spot-fixing range from a six-month suspension to a life ban.
Meanwhile, the Hammers have confirmed the appointment of Julen Lopetegui as their new head coach.
The Spaniard, who left Wolves on the eve of the most recent Premier League season, will replace David Moyes and officially begin work on July 1.
Lopetegui has previously coached Porto, Spain, Real Madrid and Sevilla prior to his brief tenure at Molineux.
“I feel very happy, first of all, to be able to be part of the future of this big club,” Lopetegui told West Ham TV. “We will try to put our stamp on the club.
“I feel that we have a fantastic platform. I think the last few years have been very good years to have this base, of course, but my ambition as a coach is always to be better and better, to achieve more and bigger aims and to encourage and improve the players, the team, and to compete because football is about this – to compete. We are very ambitious about this.”
Lopetegui will be in charge for the Hammers’ pre-season trip to Florida in July, where they take on Wolves and Crystal Palace.
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten said: “We are very pleased to welcome Julen and his staff to our club.
“He was a stand-out candidate to become our head coach and I am personally delighted that we have chosen to work together.”