West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been officially cleared of all spot-fixing allegations brought against him, following a ruling by an independent regulatory commission.
The Premier League club made the announcement on Thursday, confirming that the Brazilian international had been exonerated of the most serious accusations involving alleged manipulation of in-game actions for betting purposes.
The 27-year-old footballer was originally charged with four alleged breaches of the Football Association (FA) rules. Central to the allegations was the claim that Paqueta had intentionally tried to receive yellow cards during specific Premier League fixtures. The FA suggested these actions were aimed at influencing the betting market for illicit gain.
Throughout the investigation, Paqueta consistently denied any wrongdoing. Following a detailed hearing, the independent regulatory commission found that the charges of spot-fixing were “not proven,” effectively clearing him of any attempt to manipulate match outcomes.
However, while the commission dismissed the core match-fixing allegations, the FA revealed that two separate charges—both involving Paqueta’s failure to fully cooperate with the investigation—were upheld. These charges pertain to what the FA described as a breach of the duty to assist with its inquiries.
The football governing body noted that a separate disciplinary panel would soon determine an appropriate sanction for those proven charges. The timeline for that decision has not yet been publicly disclosed.
In a statement released through West Ham United, Paqueta reiterated his long-standing position on the matter. “I have always maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations,” he stated, reflecting on what has been a turbulent period both personally and professionally.
West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady also responded to the commission’s findings, expressing relief and support for the midfielder. “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,” Brady said.
The case had cast a shadow over Paqueta’s career for several months, with both his playing future and reputation hanging in the balance. Now cleared of the most damaging allegations, Paqueta will look to focus on his football as the club and FA await the outcome of the disciplinary review regarding the cooperation charges.
What You Should Know
Lucas Paqueta’s clearance of spot-fixing charges is a significant development for both the player and West Ham United. Accused of deliberately trying to get booked in matches to influence betting outcomes, the Brazilian midfielder faced intense scrutiny that could have severely damaged his career.
The independent commission’s ruling restores his professional integrity, but the story is not entirely over—Paqueta was found to have failed in fully cooperating with the FA’s investigation.
Though this does not carry the same weight as match-fixing, it can still result in penalties ranging from fines to suspensions. As the football world watches, Paqueta must now await the FA’s final word.
