Britain’s biggest bookmakers have suspended betting on Lucas Paqueta being booked due to integrity concerns. Mail Sport has been told that at least six major high street firms including West Ham shirt sponsor Betway have withdrawn the Paqueta yellow card market on legal advice.
The sudden move has been described by industry sources as a short-term measure to protect bookmakers following Mail Sport’s revelation a fortnight ago that the FA are investigating suspicious betting activity surrounding bookings received by Paqueta, which led to the collapse of ayn £85million transfer to Manchester City.
This newspaper subsequently revealed the three bookings being scrutinised, which took place in Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Leeds last season, and in West Ham’s opening game of this season against Bournemouth.