Paqueta set to be cleared of FA spot-fixing charges

By Tolu Shotade

Sun 27 Jul 2025 04:57

Tolu Shotade 27 Jul 2025

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Lucas Paqueta expected to avoid FA sanctions in betting case.
Accused of spot-fixing, initially faced a potential lifetime ban.
Final ruling likely frees Paqueta, denying any wrongdoing.

Lucas Paqueta

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta is expected to be free of any sanctions, as the Football Association’s ruling in his betting case is imminent.

Paqueta has been under investigation since August 2023, after he was alleged to have deliberately gotten booked "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market."

The investigation was in relation to four Premier League matches against Leicester City (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and Bournemouth last August. The bets in question are understood to have been placed by friends and family members, totalling around 60 wagers—all for relatively modest stakes.

The FA initially charged the 27-year-old with four counts of spot-fixing last May but added two extra counts for allegedly obstructing the investigation. The hearing, however, commenced in March, with the Brazil International denying any claims of wrongdoing.

According to reports, the FA was seeking a lifetime ban, but the midfielder is now expected to walk away without any serious punishments. The final ruling has been communicated to all parties involved and is due to be released by the FA.

Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon for an initial £36.5m in August 2022 and helped them win the Europa Conference League in his debut season. He has 18 goals and 14 assists in 120 games for the Hammers, including netting four goals in 33 league games last season.

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