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West Ham have been charged by the Football Association over alleged homophobic chanting by their supporters during last month’s fixture against Chelsea.
The Hammers were beaten 2-1 by the Blues at Stamford Bridge at the start of February, during which the FA alleged the club “failed to ensure its spectators did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive, indecent or insulting way with reference to sexual orientation”.
The FA said the club were being charged as a result of the alleged fan misconduct. Days after the game, West Ham released a statement saying the club “strongly condemns the discriminatory and homophobic chants aimed towards opposition supporters.
“The chant is wholly unacceptable and has no place in football or anywhere else.”
West Ham have until Tuesday, 1 April to reply to the FA charges.
West Ham have until Tuesday, 1 April to reply to the FA charges. https://t.co/df9HPeIw5i
— Elochukwu (@elosim_soy) March 27, 2025
The news compounds a turbulent few days off the pitch for West Ham. It is understood the hearing concerning Lucas Paqueta’s betting charges began last week, with the FA reportedly seeking a lifetime ban for the Brazilian.
The hearing is believed to last three weeks, making it one of the longest court proceedings in the FA’s history.
Paqueta was charged with spot-fixing offences in four Premier League matches, against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023 and Bournemouth last August.
The 27-year-old did not place any bets. The bets in question – around 60 for relatively small stakes – are believed to have been placed by friends and family.
Paqueta denies any wrongdoing but the FA charges from 2024 state that midfielder tried 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.”
Paqueta was also charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2, which relates to providing information and documents.
“I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,” Paqueta said in a statement released at the time of the charges.
“For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.
“I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment.”