Lucas Paquetá Cleared of All Wrongdoing by The FA Following Two-Year Betting Investigation

Lucas Paquetá has been fully exonerated by the Football Association following a protracted two-year investigation into allegations that he deliberately sought bookings in four separate fixtures.

The FA has now revealed that an independent regulatory commission found there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations. However, the West Ham United and Brazil midfielder has been charged with failing to cooperate with the FA’s inquiry.

The investigation, launched in August 2023, focused on suspicions of spot-fixing involving Paquetá during Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023. Formal charges were issued in May 2024, and a hearing—delayed on multiple occasions—ran from March to June this year.

While there was never any suggestion that Paquetá himself placed bets, it was alleged that associates and family members in Brazil financially benefited from wagers placed on him receiving yellow cards. Had the allegations been proven, the 26-year-old faced the possibility of a lifetime ban from football.

Following the announcement of his exoneration, Paquetá said:
“Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence in relation to these extremely serious accusations. I cannot say more at this time, but I wish to thank God and express my joy at being able to return to playing football with a smile on my face,” as reported by The Mirror.

He added:
“To my wife, who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, the fans who always supported me, and to my family, friends, and legal team—thank you for everything.”

Alastair Campbell, a partner at the London-based law firm Level, has led Paquetá’s legal defence throughout the proceedings.

Campbell stated:
“Few cases carry the gravity of this one—professionally, personally, and emotionally for our client. Lucas has shown tremendous strength and resilience under extraordinary pressure.

“Level is proud to have helped demonstrate Lucas’s integrity both as a footballer and as a person. He can now return his focus to what matters most—playing football and spending time with his family.”

The bookings under investigation occurred during Premier League matches against Leicester City (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and Bournemouth (August 2023).

At the time charges were brought forward, the FA alleged that Paquetá had sought to “influence the course, conduct, or any other aspect of these matches by intentionally attempting to receive a card from the referee, for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market and enabling others to profit.”

In addition, he was charged with non-compliance during the investigation, a breach the commission deemed substantiated. The FA has called for “an appropriate sanction for these breaches at the earliest opportunity.”

West Ham United Vice-Chair, Baroness Karren Brady, commented:
“We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club, we have steadfastly stood by him throughout this difficult period.

“Despite immense pressure, Lucas has continued to deliver for the club on the pitch, consistently giving his all. It has undoubtedly been a challenging time for him and his family, but he has conducted himself with absolute professionalism. He now looks forward to putting this chapter behind him—as do all of us at West Ham United.”