Lucas Paquetá has finally been cleared of spot-fixing charges following a two-year ordeal that threatened his career and left both player and club counting the cost. The case stemmed from a yellow card he received in November 2022, which sparked suspicion due to unusual betting activity, ultimately leading to a full-scale investigation.
The Brazilian midfielder was accused of deliberately getting booked in four Premier League matches in 2022 and 2023, with betting patterns traced to accounts originating from his birthplace, Paquetá Island. Despite the modest sums involved ranging from £7 to £400 the FA deemed the patterns suspicious enough to warrant formal charges.
The fallout was significant. Paquetá missed out on an £85 million transfer to Manchester City, a career-defining move that would have seen him join one of Europe’s elite clubs. West Ham also lost a major windfall and are now exploring legal options to recover their estimated £1 million in legal costs.
Although ultimately acquitted, the length and complexity of the process took a toll. The FA investigation began in August 2023 but was delayed by difficulties accessing evidence from Brazil. Charges were only filed nine months later, and hearings stretched over a year, disrupting three consecutive transfer windows for the club.
Throughout the saga, Paquetá maintained a composed presence in training, though those close to him noted the psychological strain. He was visibly emotional on the pitch, notably breaking down after a booking in May, reflecting the stress of the looming threat of a lifetime ban.
His legal team argued that his bookings were consistent with his naturally aggressive playing style and not the result of any manipulation. Betting data also showed he regularly attracted wagers for yellow cards due to his poor disciplinary record, which was used to challenge the FA’s claims of intent.
With the player now cleared, attention turns to the independent commission’s written findings, expected in the coming weeks. These are likely to scrutinize the FA’s handling of the case, which has left lingering questions about due process and the cost of prolonged investigations in the modern game.
