West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta cleared of alleged betting breaches by FA
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta was charged with deliberately seeking to receive a booking during four English Premier League games between November 2022 to August 2023.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON – West Ham United’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of four alleged breaches of betting rules after an independent regulatory commission hearing, the Football Association (FA) said on July 31.
In 2024, he was charged with deliberately seeking to receive a booking during four English Premier League games from November 2022 to August 2023 against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth.
The FA said it was alleged that the 27-year-old sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in those matches by deliberately trying to get booked to manipulate the betting market for the benefit of others.
“Paqueta denied the charges against him, and a regulatory commission found them to be not proven following a hearing,” the FA said in a statement.
But the commission found him guilty of two breaches in relation to alleged failures to comply with his obligations to answer questions and provide information to the FA investigation.
Paqueta, who was facing the risk of a lifetime ban, denied the alleged spot-fixing charges and expressed frustration over media coverage of the matter, which he said was misleading.
“Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations,” he said in a statement on July 31.
“I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face. To my wife, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me, thank you.”
The FA began its investigation of the alleged betting breaches in August 2023. Last October, Paqueta urged the FA to investigate how information from its case against him had been leaked to the media.
“We are pleased Lucas has been cleared... as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process,” West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady said.
“Despite the incredible pressure on him, Lucas has performed week in and week out for the club, always giving everything. It has been a difficult time for Lucas and his family, but he has remained absolutely professional throughout.”
The Hammers, who struggled to a disappointing 14th-place finish last season, begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign at promoted Sunderland on Aug 16. REUTERS
