2 months ago
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West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta appears to have won his seismic two-year fight to save his career after standing accused of spot-fixing by the Football Association.
Paqueta has been facing a potential life ban if found guilty of picking up yellow cards on purpose in order to influence betting outcomes.
However, sources have suggested that the 27-year-old Brazilian may now have secured his biggest-ever win after one of the most high-profile corruption cases ever seen in English football and certainly in the Premier League era.
There has not yet been an official announcement from the FA, who previously charged him.
West Ham insiders confirmed to Mail Sport on Friday afternoon that they had received word of the verdict. When put to them that it was understood Paqueta had been successful in clearing his name, they insisted they could neither confirm nor deny and were unable to officially comment.
Mail Sport broke the story of the FA’s probe into Paqueta back in August 2023. At that time, their investigation scuppered his proposed £80million move from West Ham to Manchester City.
West Ham's Lucas Paqueta is expected to be cleared of spot-fixing after a two-year investigation
Paqueta was charged with purposefully picking up yellow cards in order to influence betting markets - with four counts of spot‑fixing and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation
The Brazilian will be keen to rediscover his best form, which has suffered during the FA investigation
That led to Paqueta being charged in May 2024 with four counts of spot‑fixing – relating to cautions shown in Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth – and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation.
It is not yet known whether he has beaten every single charge with an announcement expected within the coming days.
Alongside that charge sheet from the FA was reported to be a recommendation that he is banned for life if proven that he was picking up cards to win cash for those betting on him.
West Ham have been furious with how the FA allowed their investigation to drag on for so long. It left a dark cloud hanging over one of their best players for two years with Paqueta considered a special type of talent who can turn a game on its head in an instant.
It was his assist for Jarrod Bowen which saw them beat Fiorentina in the Conference League final in Prague in June 2023, marking their first major trophy in 43 years.
His manager for that triumph was David Moyes, the now-Everton boss who Mail Sport revealed even acted as a witness in a significant section of his defence against the FA’s claims. Paqueta was represented by Nick De Marco KC in the hearing which concluded nearly two months ago.
Sources close to Paqueta have previously described how it has been a tormenting time for him personally. The yellow he received against Leicester, on November 12, 2022, was nearly 1,000 days ago.
Ever since learning that he was being investigated, he has strenuously insisted he was innocent and had faith that he would clear his name.
Paqueta pictured at West Ham's London Stadium with his wife Maria Fournier, who admitted the couple have been 'living this nightmare for two years' in an emotional statement in May
West Ham supported Paqueta throughout it all, though the Premier League club had long feared that the odds were stacked against them and their player. As previously reported, that was due to the standard of proof being based on a ‘balance of probabilities’ – as in civil law cases – as opposed to the more rigorous ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ threshold in criminal proceedings.
Last October, the midfielder took to Instagram to express his frustration at 'misleading and inaccurate' leaks regarding his case.
'Some of that information is entirely false and appears designed to undermine my position,' he wrote. 'I am also concerned that, although they are false and misleading, these articles are clearly sourced from an individual close to the case.
'The FA proceedings are supposed to be confidential, and they are extremely serious for me and my family. The continued leaking and publication of inaccurate information in the press is now putting at risk my chance of receiving fair hearing.
'I have, therefore, instructed my lawyers to write to The FA to request that they conduct a thorough investigation into how information about the case, even if inaccurate, is finding its way into the public domain. I continue to deny the charges against me and look forward to demonstrating my innocence.'
Paqueta has been a key player for West Ham since signing from Lyon for a club-record £51million in 2022. If found innocent, the Hammers may have a decision to make on him this summer, including whether to sell him. Brazilian club Flamengo are believed to be interested.
