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The 3 Lucas Paqueta yellow cards being investigated by the FA

Nestor Watach •

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is being investigated by the Football Association for three yellow cards he’s received since his arrival in August 2022.

The Daily Mail report that the FA are looking at three separate incidents across a six-month period in their gambling probe – going from last season into this one.

The report goes on to state which of Paqueta’s three yellow cards are under scrutiny. We’ve taken a closer look at each of them.

Aston Villa – March 12th

The first Paqueta yellow card being investigated was for his fourth booking of the 2022-23 campaign, at home to Aston Villa, when he was cautioned for a late challenge that incensed John McGinn midway through the second half.

Almost nobody noticed anything unusual about it at the time, save for one eagle-eyed punter who observed a discrepancy in the betting markets.

“I find it very strange that Paqueta is 8/11 to be booked today,” tweeted @alwaysagooner83 prior to kick-off.

“A player with only 3 yellow cards this season is ODDS ON to be booked for West Ham today. Surely there is something going on there?”

Leeds United – May 21st

David Moyes’ Hammers very much had one eye on their upcoming UEFA Conference League final when they hosted relegation scrappers Leeds on the penultimate weekend of the 2022-23 season.

But Paqueta featured in midfield as Moyes selected a strong line-up, who did the job and all but sealed Leeds’ Championship fate as they came from behind to notch a 3-1 win.

The Brazilian’s 65th-minute booking, tripping Crysensio Summerville to deny a counter-attack, was an incident that passed by with next to no comment at the time.

It has been noted that minutes before the corner that led to this passage of play, Paqueta had been warned by referee Peter Bankes for kicking the ball away.

Bournemouth – August 12th

The Daily Mail’s report stated that “it was the booking Paqueta received at Bournemouth for shoving Illia Zabarnyi and showing dissent to referee Peter Bankes on August 12 that accelerated a previously secret five-month investigation, causing the collapse of the City transfer.”

The 25-year-old was very closely linked with a move to Manchester City when he featured for the Hammers in their 2023-24 opener away at Bournemouth.

The referee dished out a yellow card after a coming together with Bournemouth defender Zabarnyi. He was one of several players booked in the early weeks of the new campaign following lesser leniency around dissent for the new season.

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