West Ham's Paqueta Successfully Denies Spot-Fixing Accusations Following Two-Year Inquiry
Lucas Paqueta Cleared of Spot-Fixing Allegations, Focuses on Football Career
After a lengthy and tumultuous investigation, Lucas Paqueta, the West Ham United midfielder, has been cleared of all spot-fixing allegations brought by the English Football Association (FA) in May 2024. The FA accused him of deliberately receiving four yellow cards between November 2022 and August 2023 to influence betting markets, but the FA's Regulatory Commission found these charges "not proven" and dismissed them in July 2025.
The commission, however, upheld two minor breaches related to Paqueta not fully cooperating with the investigation. These breaches carried far lesser penalties than the main charges. The investigation, which lasted nearly two years, had far-reaching monetary consequences, including the collapse of a $110 million transfer to Manchester City.
West Ham manager, Potter, expressed his happiness about having Paqueta back in the team. "Lucas is a happy and committed player," Potter said. "He is an important person in the dressing room and at the club." Paqueta himself was never directly involved or sanctioned in the Brazilian match-fixing investigation.
The inquiry into Paqueta's yellow cards during a game against Bournemouth eventually expanded to three other matches: Leicester City, Aston Villa, and Leeds United. The latest update is that Paqueta has been cleared of all spot-fixing allegations, a relief for both him and West Ham.
Potter stated that they want to help Paqueta enjoy his football. "It's a credit to Lucas and his family for coming through this situation," Potter added. Paqueta, who maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, expressed his eagerness to return to playing football with a smile on his face.
The transfer window is open until September 1, and Manchester City is still rumored to be interested in Paqueta. However, West Ham’s asking price is around £50m, and Paqueta's form over the past two seasons has been mixed, partly due to the stress of the investigation. Despite the clearance, the legal fees and related costs for Paqueta and West Ham are estimated to have reached approximately £1 million ($1.32 million).
In summary, Lucas Paqueta has been fully exonerated of spot-fixing charges and found guilty only of minor procedural breaches. He remains a West Ham player and featured in preseason 2025. Potential transfers, including renewed City interest, might now be possible, but with some questions over his recent performance. This outcome allows Paqueta to focus on his football career without the serious risk of a lifetime ban, and his future at West Ham or elsewhere is no longer overshadowed by the scandal.
[1] BBC News, "Lucas Paqueta cleared of spot-fixing allegations by FA," 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Paqueta cleared of FA spot-fixing charges," 2025. [3] Sky Sports, "Paqueta cleared of FA spot-fixing charges," 2025. [4] The Telegraph, "Paqueta's future at West Ham uncertain despite FA clearance," 2025. [5] The Athletic, "Paqueta's clearance removes a major cloud over his career," 2025.
Lucas Paqueta's football career can now purely focus on general-news, such as scoring goals and winning matches, as he has been cleared of the spot-fixing allegations in crime-and-justice that have been haunting him. His performance on the field, which may have been affected by the stress of the investigation, might improve now that he is no longer encumbered by these charges. Interestingly, rumors persist about potential transfers involving him and Manchester City, adding another layer of sports-related news to Paqueta's career.
