After two tough years under the cloud of serious match-fixing allegations, West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has finally been cleared of any wrongdoing related to spot-fixing.
What began as whispers in 2023 grew into one of the most high-profile integrity cases English football has ever seen — and it’s finally reached a resolution that brings relief to Paqueta, West Ham, and their fans.
The Long Road From Accusation to Freedom
The whole saga kicked off in August 2023 when the FA began investigating suspicious betting activity tied to yellow cards Paqueta received in Premier League matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth.
The Brazilian midfielder was accused of intentionally picking up bookings to influence betting outcomes — a serious claim that led to formal charges in May 2024.
The charges were heavy: four counts of spot-fixing and two for allegedly not cooperating with the investigation.
At one point, a life ban from football was reportedly on the table if he was found guilty.
Cleared of Spot-Fixing but Still Not Entirely Off the Hook
On Thursday, it was officially confirmed by West Ham that Paqueta had been cleared of the central allegations.
An independent Regulatory Commission dismissed the spot-fixing charges.
But the FA noted that he could still face disciplinary action for failing to fully comply during the probe — specifically, two breaches of Rule F3 for not providing all requested information or answering certain questions.
West Ham Backs Their Star Midfielder
West Ham stood by their player from day one — and they didn’t hold back their relief once the verdict was in.
The club released a statement saying they were “pleased” Paqueta was cleared, with Vice-Chair Karren Brady praising his professionalism and resilience through what she described as an incredibly stressful time for the player and his family.
Despite all the pressure, Paqueta continued to show up for West Ham week in and week out.
His commitment didn’t go unnoticed, and the club made it clear they appreciated both his attitude and performance on the pitch.
Paqueta Speaks Out With Gratitude and Faith
After keeping mostly quiet throughout the ordeal, Paqueta took to social media to share his feelings.
Quoting a Bible verse and expressing deep thanks to his family, fans, legal team, and the club, the midfielder made it clear just how much this outcome meant to him.
“Since day one, I’ve said I was innocent,” he wrote. “Now I can smile again.”
Legal Team Reacts With Relief
His legal team, led by Nick De Marco KC, also celebrated the decision.
De Marco described the case as one of the most significant of his career, given the stakes for Paqueta’s future.
He praised the outcome and expressed pride in their work, while also thanking the Regulatory Commission for its patience.
A Cloud That Hung Over His Career
The FA’s handling of the case frustrated many at West Ham.
The drawn-out process left manager Graham Potter in limbo about one of his most important players — just three weeks before the new season.
Paqueta joined the club from Lyon in 2022 for a record £51 million and quickly became a fan favorite.
He was the man behind the assist that helped West Ham clinch their historic Conference League win over Fiorentina in 2023 — their first major trophy in more than four decades.
Manchester City Move That Never Happened
The investigation also had big transfer implications.
In 2023, Paqueta was on the verge of an £80 million move to Manchester City.
But as soon as the investigation became public, the deal collapsed. West Ham reportedly passed the information to City, who then walked away.
What Comes Next for Paqueta?
Although he’s been cleared of the most damaging accusations, the FA still hasn’t finalized its decision on the F3 rule breaches.
So, while Paqueta’s future looks far brighter than it did a few months ago, there could still be a fine or warning coming.
With his name mostly cleared and Flamengo reportedly showing interest, West Ham is said to be open to letting him go for around £30 million — far less than his previous market value.
Time to Move On
From potential lifetime bans to legal limbo, it’s been a brutal chapter in Lucas Paqueta’s career.
But after two long years, he’s come out the other side still standing.
And more than anything, it seems he’s just ready to get back to doing what he loves — playing football with joy, freedom, and his name finally cleared.