Lucas Paquetá is expected to be cleared in the coming days of any wrongdoing in a long-running spot-fixing investigation that has cast a shadow over his footballing career. The West Ham midfielder was charged with four counts of deliberately receiving yellow cards to influence betting markets, allegedly to benefit friends and family members.
The Football Association also accused him of failing to cooperate fully with the investigation, which began in August 2023. The case revolved around bookings he received in four Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023. Had he been found guilty, he risked a life ban from football.
The investigation began shortly before he was on the verge of a major transfer to Manchester City in a deal worth £85 million. That move collapsed when West Ham informed City of the ongoing inquiry. Paquetá has since endured nearly two years of uncertainty, which he has described as a nightmare.
The disciplinary process progressed slowly, with a regulatory commission finally convening in March 2025. After retiring in June to consider the evidence, it is now understood that the outcome will favour Paquetá. He has consistently maintained his innocence and was backed by his club throughout the ordeal.
Of the four bookings under scrutiny, three came in the 2022-23 season: a late tackle against Leicester in November 2022, a foul on Aston Villa’s John McGinn in March 2023, and a trip on Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville in May 2023 to halt a counterattack. The final booking occurred during stoppage time in a match against Bournemouth in August 2023.
Suspicious betting activity surrounding these incidents was traced to Paquetá Island in Brazil, his birthplace. Around 60 bets were placed on him receiving yellow cards, ranging from as little as £7 to as much as £400. Notably, there is no evidence that Paquetá placed any bets himself.
Throughout the investigation, he insisted on his innocence, stating that he had provided all the information requested and was shocked by the charges.
With a favourable verdict now expected, the midfielder can finally look forward to resuming his career free of controversy. His expected exoneration may even reignite interest from top clubs, with the cloud that once loomed over him now seemingly lifting.
