The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it will not appeal the independent commission’s decision to clear West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá of four spot-fixing charges. Written reasons for the commission’s judgment were released on Wednesday, bringing clarity to one of English football’s most closely followed disciplinary cases in recent months.
The Brazilian international had been accused of deliberately attempting to receive yellow cards in four Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023. Investigators alleged the bookings were linked to unusual betting activity, with 253 separate individuals wagering on Paquetá to be cautioned, and 27 of those bettors reportedly connected to him. However, the commission ruled that the evidence presented did not demonstrate a deliberate attempt to manipulate matches.
According to the findings, while stakes totaling £47,000 were placed and generated a profit of £167,000, the betting patterns were “not illustrative of a spot-fix.” The commission concluded the data was more consistent with alternative explanations and did not establish intent on Paquetá’s part.
Evidence from football figures played a significant role in the outcome. Former West Ham manager David Moyes testified that, in his view, the cautions fell within the normal style of play for the midfielder. Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg contested the FA’s interpretation, suggesting two of the four bookings should not have been issued in the first place. The commission agreed that Paquetá’s conduct on the field did not advance the case against him.
Another crucial factor was the analysis of Paquetá’s mobile phone data. Although more than 300 deleted messages were recovered, none related to gambling or the matches under investigation. The commission emphasized that the absence of relevant evidence strongly supported Paquetá’s defense. Furthermore, the deletion of data was attributed to an automatic function rather than intentional tampering.
While Paquetá was cleared of the most serious allegations, the commission did find two charges relating to failure to fully cooperate with the FA investigation proven. Sanctions for those charges are expected to be decided in due course.
The FA released a statement reaffirming its commitment to integrity in football, noting: “Full and thorough investigations will always be conducted into serious allegations of rule breaches.”
For Paquetá, the conclusion of the case provides relief after months of uncertainty. His legal representative, Alastair Campbell, said the midfielder could now concentrate fully on his personal life and career, describing him as a “deeply religious man” dedicated to his family and profession.
The midfielder, who joined West Ham in 2022, has been a key player for the London side and for Brazil. With the charges behind him, the focus now shifts back to his performances on the pitch as he looks to build on a strong season start with the Hammers.
In closing its investigation, the commission described the case as a reminder of the need for caution when interpreting betting data. While gambling-related scandals remain a concern in football, this ruling underscores the importance of clear, demonstrable evidence before reputations and careers are put at risk.