Lucas Paqueta escapes betting accusations following a two-year ordeal of living through a nightmare
In a long-awaited decision, the Football Association (FA) Regulatory Commission has cleared West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá of betting-related misconduct charges. The allegations, which surfaced over two years ago, centred around Paquetá intentionally seeking bookings to influence betting markets during the 2022-2023 Premier League season[1][2][3][4].
However, the Commission found Paquetá guilty of breaching FA Rule F3 by failing to cooperate with the investigation on two occasions. Specifically, he did not answer questions or provide required information[1][4]. The Commission has yet to decide on the appropriate sanction for these breaches.
Throughout the investigation, Paquetá maintained his innocence and expressed concern about potential leaks from insiders that could have jeopardised his case[5]. Despite these concerns, no official findings or evidence of insider leaks have been reported in relation to this case[6].
The allegations involved wagers placed on Paquetá receiving a yellow card in four separate Premier League games. If found guilty, he could have faced a lifetime ban from football[7]. However, with the Commission's decision, Paquetá can now focus on returning to the pitch with a smile on his face[8].
In a statement, Paquetá thanked his wife, club, and fans for their support during the investigation. He also expressed his relief at being cleared of the main allegations[9]. The FA's decision leaves open the possibility of an appeal, but for now, the investigation into the betting-related charges against Lucas Paquetá has come to a close.
References: 1. FA statement 2. The Guardian: Lucas Paqueta cleared of betting charges 3. BBC Sport: Lucas Paqueta cleared of betting charges 4. The Athletic: Paqueta cleared of betting charges 5. The Telegraph: Paqueta fears insider leaks 6. The Independent: No evidence of insider leaks in Paqueta case 7. ESPN: Paqueta facing lifetime ban 8. Sky Sports: Paqueta looking forward to playing again 9. West Ham United: Paqueta statement
In a relief for Lucas Paquetá, he can now divert his attention back to European football leagues, specifically the Premier League, where he hopes to showcase his skills again. The midfielder's focus may turn toward performances on the football pitch, rather than addressing allegations surrounding his intentional booking behaviors that were under investigation for two years, stemming from the 2022-2023 Premier League season.
