West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of serious spot-fixing allegations by an independent regulatory commission, the club confirmed on Thursday.
The 27-year-old Brazil international had been charged with four alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) rules, with accusations that he deliberately sought to receive yellow cards in order to manipulate betting outcomes during Premier League matches.
The charges related to fixtures against Leicester City in November 2022 and matches against Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth in 2023. Had the allegations been proven, Paqueta could have faced a lifetime ban from football.
However, following a formal hearing, the independent regulatory commission found all four spot-fixing charges “not proven.” The FA has stated it is awaiting the commission’s written reasons and will not provide further comment until they are received.
Despite being cleared of the main allegations, Paqueta was found guilty of two separate charges related to a failure to fully cooperate with the FA’s investigation. A separate commission will determine the appropriate sanction for those breaches in due course.
In a statement released by West Ham United, Paqueta maintained his innocence, saying:
> “I have always said I am innocent of the accusations made against me. 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, the fans, and my legal team — thank you.”
West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady expressed relief over the outcome:
> “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.”
Alastair Campbell, a partner at Level Law and head of Paqueta’s legal team, said the ordeal was deeply personal:
> “Few cases carry the gravity of this one — professionally, personally, and emotionally for our client. Lucas has faced down immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience.”
Paqueta joined West Ham in 2022 and has become a key player for the club. His case had drawn attention following other high-profile betting-related cases, including that of Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali, who received a suspended ban in May for similar breaches.
While Paqueta now looks set to resume his career, the FA’s disciplinary process for the non-cooperation charges remains ongoing.
