See the similarity between the shocking accusations against Premier League star facing a 10-year ban and three A-League players

Football fans want answers after a Premier League star was sensationally charged by England’s Football Association with four counts of alleged spot-fixing – just seven days after three A-League players were hit with the same alleged offences by police in Sydney.

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, 26, has been accused by the Football Association of deliberately accumulating yellow cards against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in previous Premier League fixtures.

He has not been charged by police. 

The FA confirmed the charges relate to bookings Paqueta received in four games between November 2022 and August 2023.

It is understood the FA were alerted after being tipped off by integrity officers who had spotted an unusual amount of betting activity on those bookings, much of it traced to Paqueta Island, off the coast of Rio de Janiero in Brazil.

The footballer’s full name is Lucas Tolentino Coelho de Lima – but he calls himself Lucas Paqueta, as a nod to the region in Brazil from where he grew up.

It also comes seven days after three A-League football stars on the books of Macarthur FC stars were charged with alleged betting offences (pictured, Bulls captain Ulises Davila)

‘It is 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,’ the FA said in a statement.

It is further alleged punters known to Paqueta potentially then gained profits from bets placed on him being cautioned in the four matches under the microscope.

The Brazilian – who is reportedly the highest paid player at the Hammers on a whopping $75million contract – remains adamant he is innocent.

‘I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can,’ he said in a statement.

‘I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.’

The strong denial from Paqueta comes after it took the FA nine months to collate the evidence that made them confident enough to commit to a charge.

Paqueta also has the support West Ham, who stated: ‘Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position. 

‘The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.’

Police will allege Davila paid Kearyn Baccus $10,000 to receive yellow cards in a number of A-League clubs

Clayton Lewis is a Kiwi international who now faces an uncertain future due to alleged spot-fixing

It also comes seven days after three A-League football stars on the books of Macarthur FC stars were charged with alleged betting offences.

They included Bulls captain Ulises Davila, plus teammates Kearyn Baccus and Clayton Lewis.

The trio were all arrested and charged separately on May 17 and will face Sydney courts over the coming weeks.

Police also confirmed they will be interviewing a fourth player from Macarthur – who once located will also be charged.

It will be alleged Davila paid his Macarthur teammates $10,000 each to deliberately receive yellow cards in at least two A-League matches.

None of the players have broken their silence on the alleged matter.