WEST Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been charged by the FA for allegedly trying to earn a yellow card during his side’s 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth at the start of the season.

With scores locked in stoppage time at Vitality Stadium, Paqueta was shown a yellow card after shoving Cherries defender Illia Zabarnyi and remonstrating with match official Peter Bankes.

The FA have since investigated three other instances where Paqueta is suspected to have sought a booking in order to affect “the betting marking in order for one or more persons to profit”.

All three previous games were during the 2022/23 Premier League season, against Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Leeds United.

The initial FA investigation was reportedly accelerated days after Paqueta’s booking against Cherries, leading to the collapse of the midfielder’s potential move to Manchester City.

A statement on the FA’s website read: “The player has been charged with four breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct in the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023. 
 
“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.
 
“Lucas Paqueta has also been charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2.
  
“The player has until 03 June 2024 to provide a response to these charges subject to any request for an extension to this deadline.”

On Instagram, the Brazilian international responded: “I’m extremely surprised and upset to see that the FA have decided to charge me.

“For nine months, I’ve 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 provide any further comment”.