Why Is Lucas Paqueta Facing FA Action Despite Being Cleared of Spot-Fixing?

West Ham United has officially confirmed that Lucas Paquetá has been cleared of misconduct charges brought against him by the Football Association (FA), concluding a lengthy saga that had been upon the Brazilian midfielder for nearly two years.

Paqueta Cleared of Betting Misconduct Charges after FA Investigation -

The West Ham player Lucas Paqueta faced four counts of deliberately getting booked to influence betting markets on Premier League games in May 2024. However, the independent regulatory commission that heard the case found the charges to be not proven.

In August 2023, the FA launched an investigation into Paquetá due to suspicious betting patterns linked to the bookings he received in four Premier League matches. Almost a year later, in May 2024, they announced charges against the Brazil international for allegedly intentionally receiving bookings in four matches, in violation of FA Rules E5 and F3.

Since being made aware of the investigation, Paquetá has consistently asserted his innocence regarding these serious accusations. He stated: “Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations. 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.”

What are Lucas Paqueta's FA Charges?

While the FA confirmed that the alleged breaches of FA Rule E5 were found to be not proven, two lesser charges related to failing to cooperate with the investigation were upheld. The independent commission has yet to determine a sanction, but Paquetá is likely to face a fine.

In the charge sheet issued to Paquetá last year, the FA recommended a life ban from football if he were found guilty, alleging that he sought to influence the outcome and conduct of matches by intentionally seeking bookings for improper purposes related to betting. The matches in question were West Ham’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City FC on November 12, 2022; Aston Villa on March 12, 2023; Leeds on May 21, 2023; and Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.

Alastair Campbell, Paquetá’s lawyer, praised the player’s strength in continuing to perform despite the possibility of a life ban. He stated, “Lucas has faced immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience. Now, he can finally focus on what matters most to him – playing football and being with his family.” The FA has not commented further and will wait to receive the written reasons for the commission’s verdict, which are expected to be published next week.