Lucas Paquetá has been cleared of spot-fixing following a two-year investigation by the Football Association. The West Ham midfielder was charged with four counts of being deliberately booked to influence betting markets on Premier League games in May 2024, but the independent regulatory commission that heard the case has found the charges to be not proven.
Paquetá has strongly asserted his innocence since being made aware the FA had been alerted to suspicious betting patterns around bookings he received in four Premier League games while playing for West Ham in 2022 and 2023, an investigation that led to the collapse of a proposed £85m to Manchester City in August 2023. The 27-year-old has continued to play for West Ham and Brazil, who have supported him throughout the process.
“Since the first day of this investigation I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations,” Paquetá said. “I can’t say anything more at this time, but 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 who never let go of my hand, 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 for everything.”
West Ham’s vice-chair, Karren Brady, said: “We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process.
“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 and he is now looking forward to drawing a line under this episode, as is everyone at West Ham United.”
In a statement released on Thursday, the FA confirmed that the alleged breaches of FA Rule E5 were found to be not proven. Two lesser charges of failing to cooperate with the FA investigation were upheld, however. While the independent commission has yet to determine a sanction, Paquetá is likely to be fined.
In a charge sheet issued to Paquetá last year, the FA had recommended a life ban from football if found guilty. The governing body alleged: “Lucas Paquetá 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 matches in question were West Ham’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester on 12 November 2022, Aston Villa on 12 March 2023, Leeds on 21 May 2023 and Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.
Paquetá’s lawyer, Alastair Campbell of Level, issued a statement praising the player’s resilience for continuing to play with a potential life ban hanging over him. “Few cases carry the gravity of this one – professionally, personally and emotionally for our client,” Campbell said. “Lucas has faced down immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience. Now, he can finally get back to focusing on the things that matter most to him – playing football and being with his family.”
The FA will not comment further until it has received the written reasons for the commission’s verdict, which are expected to be published next week.
