West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing allegations following a review by an independent regulatory commission, the club announced on Thursday, July 31. The Brazilian international, 27, had faced four charges from the Football Association (FA), accusing him of attempting to manipulate match outcomes to affect betting markets.
The charges alleged that Paqueta had intentionally sought yellow cards in Premier League games to benefit betting patterns. However, after a formal hearing, the commission found that the evidence did not support the claims, and the accusations were not proven.
Although the spot-fixing charges were dismissed, the FA confirmed that two separate breaches, related to Paqueta's lack of full cooperation with the investigation, were upheld. A disciplinary panel will later decide on the appropriate penalties for those specific violations.
In a statement issued via West Ham, Paqueta said he was relieved by the verdict:
“I have always maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations.”
Karren Brady, West Ham's vice-chair, also welcomed the decision:
“We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and the club has stood firmly behind him throughout this challenging time.”
With the investigation now largely concluded, Paqueta is expected to refocus on preparations for the upcoming Premier League season, continuing his role at the heart of West Ham’s midfield.
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