Betting accusations against Lucas Paqueta have been dismissed, marking an end to a two-year ordeal described as a nightmare by the footballer himself.
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta Cleared of Betting Allegations After Two-Year Probe
The English Football Association (FA) has cleared West Ham United player Lucas Paqueta of betting allegations that had hung over him for nearly two years. The investigation, which began in August 2023, focused on suspicions that Paqueta deliberately received yellow cards in four Premier League matches to manipulate betting markets.
The matches in question were against Leicester City (Nov 2022), Aston Villa (Mar 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and Bournemouth (Aug 2023). The FA suspected that while Paqueta did not place bets himself, friends and relatives may have profited from these actions.
After a thorough investigation, an independent FA Regulatory Commission found Paqueta not guilty of match-fixing and deliberate misconduct. However, he was found uncooperative during the investigation. The Commission ruled that there was insufficient evidence to prove intentional wrongdoing.
Throughout the investigation, Paqueta maintained his innocence. He expressed concerns about alleged leaks from insiders, believing they could have jeopardized his case. His wife also commented that they had been "living a nightmare for two years" due to the probe.
The allegations involved wagers placed on Paqueta getting a yellow card in four separate Premier League games during the 2022-2023 season. The total winnings from these wagers were approximately £100,000 ($131,538).
The transfer of Paqueta to Manchester City in August 2023 was allegedly scrapped due to the betting investigation. If found guilty, he faced a potential lifetime ban from soccer.
West Ham and Paqueta expressed relief at the verdict. The club's vice chair, Karren Brady, affirmed support for Paqueta throughout the ordeal. West Ham's head coach Graham Potter confirmed Paqueta’s commitment to the club following clearance. Paqueta himself thanked God, his family, legal team, club, and fans, and expressed eagerness to return to playing soccer with a smile on his face.
In summary, the FA's two-year probe into alleged betting fraud involving Paqueta concluded without proof of match fixing or deliberate misconduct, though a minor separate charge related to non-cooperation remains pending. The outcome vindicated Paqueta and allowed him to continue his career without major sanctions.
Lucas Paqueta's career in European leagues, particularly the Premier League, may have faced a severe setback during the investigation, as the transfer to Manchester City was reportedly halted due to the betting allegations. However, following the clearance, Paqueta expressed gratitude towards his club, West Ham United, and shared his excitement to resume playing football without distractions.
