After almost two years of investigation, an independent Regulatory Commission of the Football Association (FA) has cleared Lucas Paquetá, a Brazilian midfielder for West Ham United, of four alleged violations of betting regulations.
The talented footballer, who was facing the possibility of a lengthy football disciplinary punishment or possibly a lifetime ban, is greatly relieved by the outcome of the investigation.
Allegations were made against the 27-year-old in May 2024, claiming that Paquetá purposefully attempted to get a booking in four Premier League games from November 2022 to August 2023.
According to the FA, he planned to purposefully get booked to manipulate the betting market for the advantage of others, thus influencing the outcome or conduct of these matches.
At first, Paquetá strongly refuted all of the charges. This year’s lengthy hearing, which took place from March to June, concluded that the most serious charges were “not proven.”
In a statement following the decision, a relieved Paquetá expressed his gratitude: “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.” He also thanked his wife, West Ham United, the fans, and his legal team for their unwavering support throughout the challenging period.
West Ham United also released a statement, with Vice-Chair Karren Brady saying, “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 praised Paquetá’s professionalism and performance under immense pressure.
