WATCH: Fans point out suspicious Paqueta yellow cards amidst FA investigation into gambling rule breaches

West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta has come under intense scrutiny after it was revealed that he is under investigation for breaching England’s FA’s gambling rules.

The Brazilian midfielder has not been officially charged with any offences, but a number of fans have already started noting suspicious activities in Paqueta’s previous matches, especially given the rumoured offences.

Paqueta’s investigation is believed to be with regards to in-game action, likely around yellow cards, and an X user, @alwaysagooner83 has gained popularity after spotting an irregularity involving the Brazilian midfielder and a cards market from last season.

The user noted that Paqueta had been backed to receive a yellow card during West Ham’s clash against Aston Villa on March 12th, an anomaly for any player and more so for a player who was not frequently booked. Needless to say, Paqueta was booked in that fixture.

A report from the news platform Geglobo in Brazil, where the infractions being investigated occurred, also flagged the same match and incident as suspicious.

It was reported that the investigation started after a number of new accounts were opened with bookmakers Betway in Brazil, and the account owners all placed bets on Paqueta and another Brazilian, Luis Henrique, who was also playing on the same day for Real Betis against Villarreal, to get yellow cards.

After the news broke that Paqueta was being investigated, another yellow card that the Brazilian midfielder received, this time on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season, has also come under intense scrutiny, with many claiming it was scripted as well.

Paqueta was booked against Bournemouth in West Ham’s opening game of the new season in the minute for complaining to the referee about a decision, leaving many to question whether the Brazilian fell victim to the Premier League’s new zero policy rules or if he was simply setting up another betting payday.

Paqueta has so far denied wrongdoing despite the circumstances surrounding the case and will continue to play for West Ham pending the investigation, although he was dropped from Brazil’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers to allow him time to clear his name.