West Ham United midfielder, Lucas Paquetá, has recently been acquitted of charges related to spot-fixing by an independent regulatory commission. This pivotal decision arrives nearly two years after an investigation was launched by the Football Association (FA) into his conduct. This scrutiny initiated in August 2023, culminating in charges against the 27-year-old Brazilian international in May the following year, focusing on allegations that he deliberately got booked during matches “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.”
The accusations were serious, with the potential consequence of a lifetime ban hanging over Paquetá if found guilty. Specifically, the charges stemmed from four separate matches: a Premier League fixture against Leicester City on November 12, 2022; and subsequent encounters with Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, Leeds United on May 21, 2023, and Bournemouth on August 12, 2023. After a thorough hearing, the regulatory commission concluded that all four allegations were “not proven,” a relief for the footballer.
However, the commission did find Paquetá guilty of two other counts related to failing to co-operate with the investigation, specifically breaching “FA Rule F3,” which pertains to providing needed information and documents. While he denied these charges, the determination of an appropriate sanction for these violations is still pending from the regulatory body.
In response to the verdict, Paquetá expressed deep relief, stating, “Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations.” He conveyed his gratitude towards God, his family, the West Ham supporters, and his legal team, emphasizing the emotional toll the investigation had taken on him and his loved ones. His wife, Maria Fournier, previously described their experience as a “nightmare” lasting two years. Notably, Paquetá had a noteworthy season with West Ham, scoring four goals in 33 Premier League appearances throughout the 2024-25 season.
The cases against Paquetá were particularly focused on instances where he received bookings during critical game moments. For example, in the match against Leicester City, in which West Ham lost 2-0, he was cautioned for a foul in the 60th minute when the match was close. Similar situations arose in subsequent matches against Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth, where his bookings were called into question.
West Ham’s vice-chair, Karren Brady, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the club had consistently supported Paquetá throughout the process. She highlighted the challenges he faced and encouraged him to move forward positively from this period. As of now, the FA is awaiting the written rationale from the regulatory commission regarding their findings and has opted to refrain from further comments until then.
In the broader context, the significance of betting rules in professional football cannot be underestimated, as any engagement in betting-related activities by players in the top tiers of English football is strictly prohibited. Several players have faced suspensions due to breaches of these rules, including England striker Ivan Toney, who received an eight-month suspension for placing bets that violated FA regulations.
The case of Lucas Paquetá not only underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of football but also highlights the scrutiny players are under, particularly in relation to gambling and betting-related activities in the sport. As the industry grapples with these challenges, the Paquetá case serves as a notable precedent, reminding stakeholders of the delicate balance between competitive integrity and the personal lives of athletes.
