Moyes Backs Paqueta as FA Seeks Lifetime Ban

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá, currently with West Ham, is facing a disciplinary hearing over alleged betting irregularities, which started this week and will continue for three weeks, marking one of the most extensive processes in the history of the Football Association (FA).

Former Hammers manager David Moyes will submit a written statement in defense of the player, as reported by Sky Sports. The FA is seeking to impose a lifetime ban, accusing him of deliberately influencing his conduct in four Premier League matches to benefit bets placed by third parties.

The matches in question are against Leicester (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds (May 2023), and Bournemouth (August 2023). The bets, mostly under £100, were allegedly placed by friends and family of Paquetá.

The player, who categorically denies the charges and claims not to have placed any bets, withdrew from Brazil's squad to testify. His defense argues that his known record of bookings (22 yellows since joining the club) could have motivated the bets without any manipulation on his part.

Paquetá also asserts that he requested not to play against Bournemouth due to being close to signing with Manchester City, which strengthens his stance against the conspiracy hypothesis. The Brazilian insists on his innocence and vows to fight to clear his name.